“Energy is one of the largest annual expenditures for business and government, and any effort to control and reduce those expenses increases efficiency and keeps taxes and operating costs to a minimum,” Gov. Rendell said. “With funds from the Duquesne Light settlement, we were able to leverage private and other funds for a total investment of more than $4.7 million in energy efficiency and conservation projects.”

The six grants will generate more than 20.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity and reduce carbon emissions by more than 1,330 tons per year. That’s equivalent to removing 231 passenger cars from our highways.

Under the terms of the 2006 ratepayer settlement, PEDA will receive $6 million for energy projects that will directly benefit ratepayers in the Duquesne Light Company’s service area. To date, the settlement has funded eight projects. The money is being distributed over a four-year period ending in 2010.

The grants were available for non-residential entities such as business and industry, schools, non-profit organizations and local governments. A total of 16 applications were received and scored based on factors including technical and financial feasibility, and environmental benefits. Successful applicants included four energy efficiency projects and two geothermal projects.