The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced that applications will be accepted for the Energy Harvest Grant Program and by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority for renewable energy projects.

$5 million will be available through the Energy Harvest Program for innovative energy deployment projects addressing the concerns of air quality protection or improvement and watershed protection or improvement.

Eligible proposals include: renewable energy deployment, including biomass energy; waste coal reclamation for energy; deployment of innovative energy efficiency technologies; and distributed generation projects.

Grants may also fund projects that promote awareness and build markets for cleaner or renewable energy technologies. Proposals should manage this Commonwealth's energy resources in a way that also improves the environment, supports economic development and enhances quality of life.

Another $5 million will be available through the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority for innovative, advanced energy projects and for businesses interested in locating their advanced energy operations.

For purposes of this financial assistance opportunity, eligible projects may include: solar energy; wind; low-impact hydropower; geothermal; biologically derived methane gas, including landfill gas; biomass; fuel cells; coal-mine methane; waste coal; integrated gasification combined cycle; demand management measures, including recycled energy and energy recovery, energy efficiency and load management; and clean, alternative fuels for transportation.

Priorities include solar, distributed generation for critical public infrastructure and clean, alternative fuels for transportation.

Under this solicitation, the Authority may award financial assistance in the form of grants of up to $1 million. Funding for projects may be used for capital equipment, construction associated with capital projects and land acquisition.

For grants under this solicitation, the following entities are eligible to apply: corporations, partnerships, associations and other legal business entities; nonprofit corporations; municipalities in this Commonwealth; and any public corporations, authorities or bodies whatsoever.

For more information, visit the Energy Harvest Program webpage and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority webpage. DEP said information on how to apply will be posted starting May 8.

5/5/2006