Gov. Rendell this week encouraged local and county governments to take advantage of $102 million in energy efficiency block grants and other funding opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus program.

 

The Department of Environmental Protection will host web-based briefing sessions on April 8 and 28 for local governments that will guide municipal officials through the Recovery Act and the grant application process.

 

 

The U.S. Department of Energy announced local energy grants on March 26. Cities and large communities, or those with more than 35,000 residents and counties with more than 200,000 residents must apply for funds directly from the federal government.

 

Applications for funds controlled by the DOE must be submitted by June 25.

 

 

Smaller communities with populations of less than 35,000 and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents will be able to apply for federal money through Pennsylvania's existing energy grant programs.

 

DEP will announce grant solicitations for the state-controlled funds in the coming weeks.

The block grant program assists local governments with reducing fossil fuel emissions and total energy use, and with improving energy efficiency for buildings and transportation.

 

Grants may be used for a variety of energy efficiency projects, including residential and commercial building energy audits; energy efficiency retrofits and conservation programs for existing facilities; developing and implementing transportation programs; implementing energy distribution resources to increase efficiency; material conservation programs; and replacing traffic signals and street lighting, among others.

 

 

Pennsylvania's stimulus implementation director James Creedon, Department of General Services secretary, will host a live, Internet-based session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 8. Participants will be able to submit questions during the session. Local government officials can register online.

 

On April 28, DEP will to host an Internet-based information session for local governments. Additional sessions may be scheduled if needed. Those interested in participating should visit the local training webpage and review the course calendar for a webinar location in their area.

 

Pennsylvania's Office of Energy and Technology Deployment will offer guidance on appropriate projects for cities and counties that are eligible for the federal grants.

 

For more information on energy-related assistance available under federal stimulus funding, visit the  Department of Energy website.

 

For more information on the web-based instruction seminars for local governments, contact DEP's Office of Community Revitalization and Local Government Support at 717-783-1566.