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Governor Rendell Awards Grants to Help Small Businesses Improve Energy Efficiency, Cut Pollution

Posted on: Thursday, 1 February 2007, 12:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said small businesses in Pennsylvania will be better able to become more energy efficient and help improve air quality with new state grants totaling more than $185,000.

The grants have leveraged $342,022 in additional, private funds, nearly doubling the amount of the commonwealth's investment.

"The money will help small business owners apply innovative technologies that reduce waste, conserve resources and enhance their ability to compete in today's marketplace," Governor Rendell said. "Energy efficiency and pollution prevention are critical to the continuing development of our economy, in keeping our environment clean, and in reducing our dependence on imported fuels.

"We are turning our environmental and energy challenges into opportunities in all sectors of our economy, and we are improving the quality of life for our residents."

The grants, awarded under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, provide a 50-percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption, promote pollution prevention and increase profitability. Since Governor Rendell launched the program in July 2004, more than $2.8 million has been awarded to more than 500 businesses across the state.

"Smart energy use is good for business and a key to cleaner air," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "Environmental protection can drive economic growth, and the rewards can be especially significant for small businesses."

The Small Business Advantage grant program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity that has no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers.

The Small Business Advantage Grant Program has once again proven to be so popular that funding has been exhausted for the current fiscal year. For more information on Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, Keyword: "SBAdvantage."

The Small Business Advantage Grant Program is part of Governor Rendell's larger effort to put financial tools and policies in place to promote advanced energy projects in the state.

Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, one of the most progressive clean energy laws in the nation, ensures that 18 percent of all retail energy generated by 2020 comes from clean, efficient and advanced resources. The law promises to substantially build on the state's leadership in wind production east of the Mississippi, and provide enough clean energy to power more than 45,000 homes.

Because of that leadership, Governor Rendell was able to lead a campaign to land the Spanish wind-energy company Gamesa Corp., the second largest wind energy company in the world. With its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia and manufacturing facilities in Bucks and Cambria counties, Gamesa represents an $84 million investment in the state that will create as many as 1,000 jobs over five years.

The state's clean energy law far surpasses other states in ensuring the wide distribution and use of zero-pollution solar power. By 2021, when the solar share is in full effect, utilities will be required to purchase 700 megawatts of solar-produced electricity -- the second largest solar requirement in the nation.

In November, Governor Rendell announced that Germany-based Conergy AG -- the world's largest solar power integration company -- will locate the North American headquarters of its financial subsidiary, voltwerk, and the East Coast operations of its solar engineering and installation subsidiary, SunTechnics, in Pennsylvania. The move will create up to 50 engineering, financing and management jobs and up to $100 million in clean energy deals over the next three years.

The commonwealth is leading in other areas of advanced energy development, creating jobs and cleaning up the environment while putting indigenous resources to work.

The Governor recently redoubled the commonwealth's "green" electricity commitment to 20 percent, making Pennsylvania the largest state purchaser of green electricity in the nation. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania received a 2006 Green Power Leadership award from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its green electricity purchasing leadership. The annual awards recognize leading national green power purchasers and suppliers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's green power market.

Pennsylvania also is second only to California in the number of buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

Governor Rendell recently announced the investment of more than $3 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to stimulate the production, distribution and use of biofuels made in Pennsylvania. By emphasizing investments in ethanol and biodiesel, AFIG supports Governor Rendell's "PennSecurity Fuels Initiative" to produce and use 900 million gallons annually of clean, domestic fuel -- an amount equal to what the state is expected to import from the Persian Gulf 10 years from now. Pennsylvania is investing $30 million over the next five years to build re-fueling and production infrastructure to support wide distribution of the alternative fuels.

The nation's first coal gasification-liquefaction plant is being built in northeastern Pennsylvania. The facility will use waste coal to produce 40- million gallons of clean-burning diesel fuel each year. What the Governor is doing to support the project is unprecedented, creating a fuel consortium with private industry to purchase nearly all of the offtake. Pennsylvania will lock in its supply for some 10 years at prices well below current market values and ensure a long-term, viable market for the plant.

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Pennsylvania for its national energy leadership in putting landfill gas to work, powering economic growth and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For 2006, Pennsylvania was honored as a partner in one of four national Landfill Methane Outreach Projects of the Year; and for 2005 the Landfill Methane Outreach Program honored Pennsylvania as its "State Partner of the Year" and cited Governor Rendell's many initiatives to encourage and support the use of landfill methane gas.

Pennsylvania is home to 24 operational gas-to-energy projects. DEP estimates these projects generate more than 100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 250,000 homes for a year. Additionally, the projects annually generate approximately 700 million standard cubic feet of landfill gas for industrial/commercial uses.

Pennsylvanians now spend some $30 billion per year on imported energy fuels. Instead of spending overseas, Governor Rendell is investing at home and putting Pennsylvanians to work.

Brought back to life after years of inactivity, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has awarded $21 million in grants and loans for 57 clean energy projects that will leverage $240 million in private investment. The projects will create 975 permanent and construction jobs.

The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program has awarded $21 million and leveraged another $51.9 million in private funds since its inception in May 2003 for projects using sources such as wind, solar, biomass, waste coal and recycled energy.

For more information on Pennsylvania's leadership in deploying advanced energy, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/, Keyword: "Alternative Energy."

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list by county of the $185,797 awarded in Small Business Advantage Grants.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY Patriot Investment Properties -- $7,500 for high-efficiency lighting, insulation and a high-efficiency furnace. ARMSTRONG COUNTY Bob Amsler's Place -- $7,500 to purchase and install high-efficiency refrigeration equipment. BERKS COUNTY Darran M. Stephens -- $4,254 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. BUTLER COUNTY Pro-Built Transmissions Inc. -- $1,960 for a waste oil burner and furnace to conserve energy through use of alternate fuels. Butler Cleaners and Formal Wear LLC -- $6,755 for high-efficiency clothes drying equipment. CENTRE COUNTY Advanced Powder Products -- $7,500 for metal parts cleaning equipment to conserve electricity, recycle solvent and reduce pollution. CLINTON COUNTY Your Hometown Market -- $5,784 to purchase and install a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. ERIE COUNTY Rathmann Fruit Farm -- $7,500 for high-efficiency geothermal heating equipment. INDIANA COUNTY Stony Bank Restaurant -- $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. JEFFERSON COUNTY Stewart Enterprises -- $4,200 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LACKAWANNA COUNTY Kevin R. Aniska Trucking -- $4,388 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Mike Biondi Transport -- $4,138 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LANCASTER COUNTY Jagtrux Inc. -- $7,500 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. Murrell Court Partners L.P. -- $7,500 for high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water and to decrease wastewater generation. Shifflett Trucking -- $4,225 to purchase and install an auxiliary power unit in a long-haul trailer to eliminate idling during layovers. LAWRENCE COUNTY Allegheny Leather Care Inc. -- $7,500 for upgraded dry cleaning equipment to reduce hazardous waste generation. Wilmington Laundromat -- $6,929 to purchase and install a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. LEHIGH COUNTY Valley Cleaners -- $7,500 for upgraded dry cleaning equipment to reduce hazardous waste generation. LUZERNE COUNTY Char & Co. -- $7,500 for a corn-fired furnace, hot water heater and related plumbing, and attic insulation. LYCOMING COUNTY DiSalvo's -- $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. MERCER COUNTY Jackson Centre Dairy Queen -- $7,500 to purchase and install high- efficiency refrigeration equipment. MONTOUR COUNTY The Haven at Centerhill -- $3,500 to purchase and install a high- efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY 6th Street Laundromat Plus -- $7,500 for high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water and to decrease wastewater generation. Panda Dry Cleaners -- $7,500 for upgraded dry cleaning equipment to reduce hazardous waste generation. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY Betty Brite Cleaners -- $7,500 for upgraded dry cleaning equipment to reduce hazardous waste generation. Photo Process Screen -- $7,500 to purchase and install a high-efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY H.L. Snyder Funeral Home -- $7,500 to purchase and install a high- efficiency boiler with zone controls to conserve energy. YORK COUNTY Village Laundry -- $4,664 for high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water and to decrease wastewater generation. Molly's Warehouse -- $7,500 for high-efficiency washing machines to conserve energy and water and decrease wastewater generation. CONTACT: Kate Philips 717-783-1116 Charlie Young, DEP 717-787-1323

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, +1-717-783-1116, or Charlie Young of DEP, +1-717-787-1323, both for Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Web site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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