State Grants Help Small Businesses Realize Big Energy Savings

165 small businesses in 43 counties will slash their energy bills nearly in half and save $1.8 million annually in energy related costs with the help of Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants from the Department of Environmental Protection.

“It is important for everyone to conserve energy because doing so saves money,” said Gov. Rendell. “These small businesses wisely recognize that, so with the help of Pennsylvania’s investments, they are taking advantage of an opportunity to make their operations more energy efficient and reduce costs. This is a sound, common sense business decision that’s good for their operations, good for their employees and customers, and good for Pennsylvania’s economy.”

The 165 small business grant recipients, which employ nearly 3,000 people, will see a 48 percent reduction in their annual energy bills, which now total more than $3.7 million. Funds were allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Combined with the awards announced today, the Small Business Energy Efficiency grant program has awarded $2.3 million to 218 companies this year. These businesses will save more than $2.2 million in the first year and more than $22 million over the life of the new technologies they have incorporated.

The Small Business Energy Efficiency grants are the first program under the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund signed into law in July 2008.

It provides a 25 percent reimbursement grant up to $25,000 to help Pennsylvania small businesses—those with 100 employees or less—acquire equipment or adopt processes that promote energy efficiency. Eligible projects include purchasing and installing geothermal heat pumps, energy efficient HVAC systems, lighting and refrigeration systems, insulation and air sealing projects, among other examples.

A list of projects funded is available online.