|
Lancaster: Jointly sponsored by the Lancaster Chamber and the Keystone Innovation Zone with support from the Center of Excellence in Renewable energy, an Alternative Energy Forum was held Thursday, December 10 at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster. The Forum, attended by approximately ninety local business people and sponsored by August Mack Environmental, was hosted by Terry C. Kile, chair of the Steering Committee of the Center of Excellence.
Citing the urgent need to cut energy costs, move toward energy independence and stimulate the economy, Pennsylvania is investing $650 million to accelerate PA's leadership by significantly expanding the alternative fuel, clean energy and efficiency sectors. Approximately $335 million will be managed through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and will focus on investing in infrastructure, economic development projects, alternative energy companies and early-stage activities that will create thousands of jobs in a rapidly growing industry. The programs, administered through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), will focus on business assistance, providing loans and grants to companies (and where eligible, non-profit economic development organizations and political subdivisions).
Three representatives of the Commonwealth reviewed programs that provide funding for renewable energy and energy conservation projects. John Hider, Deputy Secretary of the DCED, introduced Scott Dunkleberger, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, who detailed several CFA financing programs of interest to the audience. Click here to download that presentation. Tom Bell, Director of the PA Energy Development Authority provided an update on the PA Sunshine program, providing certification to solar installers and providing rebates to residential and small commercial solar installations. Click here to download the presentation.
|
