MAJOR INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
FACTS: Pennsylvania receives 80% of the average daily sunshine of Florida.
Pennsylvania is second only to California in the number of LEEDs certified buildings.
Central Pennsylvania has many incentives and initiatives to encourage the growth of alternative energy manufacturers and parts manufacturers. In addition, there are many programs to help you keep your energy costs at bay. Some of these are below. Please call us for more detailed information.
Regional Resource Links
Energy Resource Center
The Energy Resource Center (ERC) is the Pennsylvania Heartland's center for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and expertise. The ERC is launching a comprehensive outreach, training, and technical assistance program to help create a market for energy efficiencies and pollution prevention practices in our region. We hope to soon be able to provide training and technical assistance to private sector technical service providers to help meet needs in the emerging "green economy."
Develops and invests in economically viable, energy-related businesses, projects and educational initiatives to create innovative, market-based technologies and solutions for environmentally sound and sustainable energy usage with a focus on central and eastern PA. SEF provides financial assistance and attractive funding options including: commercial loans and business partnerships.
Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority Grant
Guidelines and applications are available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: PEDA.
GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION, CONDITIONS & ELIGIBILITY
The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) is offering funding for innovative, advanced energy projects, and for businesses interested in locating or expanding their alternative energy manufacturing or production operations in the commonwealth. PEDA will consider projects such as the manufacturing of alternative energy or energy efficiency equipment or materials; the development of innovative new alternative energy or energy efficiency technologies; the generation of alternative energy or the production of alternative fuels; or the implementation of energy efficiency/demand side projects.
OUE (Organization United for the Environment)
Organizations United for the Environment (OUE) is a grassroots organization now in its fourth decade of activity. It is made up of many people from the Central Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, an area in the middle of the state between Williamsport to the north and Harrisburg, the state capitol, to the south. This Valley has since the 1940s been a favorite site for various federal institutions because it is rural, centrally located, and because it lies at the juncture of two major highways.
Regional University and Research Center Links
Penn State University BioMass Center
Penn State Renewable and Alternative Energy Center
Penn College of Technology Developments in Green Technology
Penn College of Technology Workforce Development Green Coursework
Susquehanna University BioSystems Program
Susquehanna University & Sustainability
Susquehanna University & Alternative Energy Sources
Sampling of Regional Sustainable Energy Businesses
Solair - a private energy conservation and renewable energy company dedicated to helping consumers and businesses use solar energy.
ASET Solar - designs and installs solar energy and other clean energy systems in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Statewide Resource Links
State Resource Links
Pennsylvania Wind Maps
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) for Pennsylvania
DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information for Pennsylvania
PA Office of Technology and Energy Deployment - effectively work with citizen's groups, businesses, trade organizations, local governments and communities to help them reduce pollution and save energy. Part of that effort includes encouraging the deployment and use of innovative environmental and advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Program -- Geothermal and Wind Projects
The Renewable Energy Program provides financial assistance in the forms of grants and loan funds to promote the use of alternative energy in the Commonwealth. The program is administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the direction of CFA.
Alternative Energy Funding Strategy
Citing the urgent need to cut energy costs, move toward energy independence and stimulate the economy, Pennsylvania is investing $665.9 million to push PA into the top tier of states taking steps to cut consumer energy costs and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation sectors. The plan is estimated to cut PA's energy bills by $10 billion over the next ten years.
Pennsylvania will continue to unveil a number of new energy conservation programs and alternative energy investment programs that will benefit the state’s power consumers at work and at home and protect the environment.
Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program - Provides a 25 percent reimbursement grant, up to a maximum of $25,000, to enable Pennsylvania small businesses to acquire equipment or adopt processes that promote energy efficiency.
Penn Future (Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future) - extensive information on grants, funding and other sustainable initiatives in the Commonwealth. Their mission is to create a future for Pennsylvania where nature, communities and the economy thrive.
Federal Resource Links
The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Command (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center (NAC) support research on alternative energy technologies for Department of Defense and commercial applications.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) develops national regulatory programs to reduce mobile source related air pollution, evaluates emission control technology, tests vehicles, engines, and fuels and determines compliance with federal emissions and fuel economy standards.
ASES (American Solar Energy Society)
NESEA (North East Sustainable Energy Association)
RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network)
Publications
BBIInternational Publications-BBI Media provides a choice news and information source. From the Ethanol Producer Magazine and Biodiesel Magazine to a wide array of reference materials.
BioCycle- Articles regardging composting, organics, recycling & renewable energy.
Conferences
As a cornerstone of the expanding biofuels industry, BBI International provides, with integrity, the most authoritative and accurate information and services to support industry progress. Their success is measured by the growth and prosperity of their clients worldwide.
BioCycle-the only conference based on 50 years of industry leadership in every aspect of composting, organics and renewable energy.
AWEA Wind Power - the "worlds largest and most anticipated wind event in the world."
Husum WindEnergy - the "leading wind energy trade fair."