The Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, held its annual meeting in Harrisburg Thursday to update Commonwealth agencies and other interested groups on activities of the regional sustainable energy funds.

The Sustainable Energy Fund, originating in the PPL Electric Utilities Corp. service territory, highlighted EnergyPath 2013 and the Sustainable Energy Finance Program which is a new program that provides 0 percent loans to municipalities and nonprofit organizations.

“Our primary focus is on the financial and educational impacts of these programs,” said John Costlow, Director of Technical Services, Sustainable Energy Fund, in his presentation.

The Sustainable Development Fund, originating in the PECO service territory, presented information on lessons learned from energy lending, with special attention on various local projects.

“We’re seeing new players, a new generation of smaller projects that create different challenges and changes in commercial building energy lending,” said Roger Clark, Manager, Sustainable Development Fund in his remarks.

The Metropolitan-Edison Co. (Met-Ed) and Pennsylvania Electric Co. (Penelec)  Sustainable Energy Fund focused on its Energy Audit Program and success of the grant to Erie School District for their Energy and Education (E2) Plan, which is a comprehensive, education-based energy conservation program.

“Since the Fund’s inception, we are happy to report that we’ve provided 122 grants totaling $2.6 million,” said Heidi Williamson, Administrator, Met-Ed and Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, in her presentation.

The West Penn Power Co.’s Sustainable Energy Fund provided an overview of the programs and projects which it helped co-fund, including efforts to support the use of biomass for thermally-driven, industrial and institutional applications.

“Ideally, we want to ensure that the funds are committed in a sustainable, cost-effective manner,” said Joel Morrison, Fund Administrator, West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, in his remarks.

Links to the presentations are available online:

-- Sustainable Energy Fund;

-- The Reinvestment Fund Sustainable Energy Fund;

-- Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund; and

-- West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund.

The PASEB was originally established by the Commission in 1999 to provide oversight, guidance and technical assistance to the regional sustainable energy boards that fund projects such as wind farms, solar power systems, smart thermostat programs and the construction of buildings using energy efficient technologies.

On Aug. 7, 2003, the Commission issued an order further defining the role of the PASEB. That order charged the PASEB with holding an annual meeting; enhancing communications among the four funds and state agencies; and establishing bylaws and a “best business practices” model.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board webpage.

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1/13/2014