Pennsylvania legislators have made great hay in the last few years about diversifying the state energy portfolio. But tax credits and impact studies dont create jobs in a state where unemployment is at a 25-year high.
Environmentalists and job seekers alike will be pleased to see the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection putting its money where its mouth is this week as they announced the release of $16 million in grant funding to back clean energy projects. In his announcement of the funding, DEP secretary John Hanger stated that job creation and financial savings were the goals.
“When we began our effort to make Pennsylvania energy independent, we recognized the need for projects that use advanced technologies to help meet our future energy needs while generating new employment opportunities for Pennsylvanians,” Hanger says. “Previously, we were far too dependent on foreign oil and far too many of our energy dollars were leaving the state. We needed to look within our borders for innovative ways to conserve and generate energy, and create jobs.
The state funding is being made available through the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, or PEDA. The competitive grant program, which financed clean energy projects like the Buckmans Inc. Wind & Solar deployment and the Crayola solar-powered manufacturing facility, had been inactive for several years before Governor Ed Rendell revived it in 2005. Ever since, the state legislature has been struggling to find ways to expand the grant program to create more jobs and add to alternative energy projects already in the pipeline. This new funding marks an expansion of a program that has invested more than $75 million in 147 projects, leveraging an estimated $1.1 billion in private investments and creating more than 1,700 permanent jobs.
“As the demand for energy continues to increase, so does the demand for innovative solutions to meet those needs,” Hanger says. “Pennsylvanians have exhibited a willingness to undertake the types of projects necessary to keep us moving forward. Now in its sixth year, PEDA grants will continue to assist our residents in their efforts.”
Grants are capped at $1 million. Applications are only accepted online. Click here to apply.
Source: John Hanger, PA DEP
Writer: John Steele