Mill Run Windmills, Somerset County off PA Turnpike

The Department of Environmental Protection is now soliciting proposals for what it calls advanced energy development projects that focus on renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation and clean advanced energy businesses.

The deadline for proposals is April 1.

Through these proposals, the Department hopes to find manufacturers, sales, marketing and distribution businesses to locate in Pennsylvania.

The Department said it is most interested in project proposals that will establish long-term manufacturing operations within this Commonwealth or will provide low-cost, reliable energy to manufacturers and industrial customers from energy resources indigenous to this Commonwealth, such as coal gasification, coal-mine methane, waste coal, biomass, wind and solar.

Interested parties are encouraged to send a letter of interest to DEP that includes the following: a two-page executive summary that contains a description of the project, project principals, goals and objectives of the project, financial requirements, if any, and expected project benefits, including job statistics, economic development benefits and environmental improvements. The letter should also include a general overview of the company, including its history, present situation and future goals. If past sales and market development data are available, include these as well.

DEP said it would work with the Governor’s Action Team and a variety of financial assistance programs available in Pennsylvania to entice advanced energy companies to the state.

DEP also pointed out Pennsylvania has a wealth of natural resources and infrastructure that makes it a prime location for advanced energy development, including approximately 300 years of proven coal reserves, 11.3 trillion cubic feet of coal-mine methane, the largest stream and river system in the continental United States, a large agricultural sector and some of the most significant wind resources in the northeastern United States.

Questions related to this solicitation should be referred to Eric Thumma or Jeanne Dworetzky, 717-783-0540, ethumma@state.pa.us or jdworetzky@state.pa.us .

Responses to the solicitation should be mailed to the Office of Energy and Technology Development, Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, P.O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772.

2/18/2005