The Department of Labor and Industry this week awarded two grants to support efforts to build and sustain green energy systems and a skilled workforce in Southeast and Southwest Pennsylvania.

The first grantannounced was the award of $365,000 in Industry Partnership and Industry Partnership Training funds to the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania.The announcement was made at the Exelon-Epuron Solar Energy Center on Bordentown Road, Morrisville.

The Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania is an industry partnership including more than 200 employers in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Combined with $600,000 in private matching funds, the total investment is $965,000.

"The employers from the five-county region in this partnership are on the leading edge of renewable energy production and green-collar skills training," said Department of Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Fred Dedrick. "By investing in the technologies and training that help produce and deliver clean, affordable and sustainable energy, they are helping position the commonwealth and its workers as leaders in today's global marketplace.

"Congratulations to the partnership members and their employees," Dedrick said. "Today, you're making a difference in southeastern Pennsylvania and your employees' lives. Tomorrow, and in the future, you'll be making a difference in the way the world sees our Commonwealth."

The second grant of $400,000 went to the 3 Rivers Clean Energy Partnership, a consortium of 12 employers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The partnership will combine efforts with the International Union of Operating Engineers, which has delivered green building operator training, energy conservation training and on-site energy efficiency training to more than 500 individuals over the past three years.

Combined with $350,000 in private matching funds, the total investment is $760,000.

"Southwestern Pennsylvania was at the heart of our nation's industrial revolution," said Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Fred Dedrick. "Through the outstanding efforts of the 3 Rivers Clean Energy Partnership, and organizations like it, this region will be at the heart of our nation's clean energy revolution.

"By investing in today's advanced technologies and by training today's workforce to use them, Pennsylvania is working to ensure its place as a leader in the clean, sustainable energy industry of tomorrow and for years to come," Dedrick said.

Applications and eligibility guidelines for industry partnership and industry partnership worker training program grants are available online at the PA Work Force website.

NewsClip: Southeast Alternative Energy Program Gets Money

10/24/2008