On July 22, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance announced US Sen. John Fetterman said he will officially seek support for the expansion of GBA’s Resilient Small Businesses Expansion Project programming to Erie, New Kensington, and Westmoreland County through a $250,000 Congressionally Directed Spending Grant (CDS). 

The GBA Resilient Small Businesses Expansion Project, together with a list of projects selected for potential congressionally directed spending, can be found on Senator Fetterman’s website. 

The CDS process allows an organization that serves a public interest to communicate investment priorities to its elected representatives so they can ask appropriations committees to direct money to those projects.

Congress is taking up the FY2025 appropriations process beginning this summer. 

GBA’s proposed project will support the pursuit of capital funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy and building performance improvement projects that directly improve businesses, provide economic savings, and support job growth in the disadvantaged climate and economic justice areas in the City of Erie and City of New Kensington, with potential to expand within the counties.

Small businesses in Erie and New Kensington face high barriers to preparing for the growth in the green building and sustainability sectors – and their associated workforce opportunities – due to factors such as low median household incomes.

For example, in Erie City, the median household income is 41.4% less than the state median household income, and in New Kensington it is 35.7% less. 

Founded in 1993, GBA helps small businesses, governments, institutions, nonprofits and K12 schools improve the performance (energy use, indoor air quality, water use, reliability, sustainability) and economic operational costs of existing and new buildings through education and training, technical assistance, grant writing assistance, and shared practices between industry clusters and private/public sector building owners. 

GBA has already convened community anchors in Erie and Westmoreland Counties to provide green building professional training, building performance data analysis, project technical assistance, and facilitated peer networks for businesses and building owners.

Past projects in that part of the Commonwealth have included the installation of solar and battery storage at the Erie Central Fire Station and energy improvement projects by the Benedictine Sisters, also in Erie.

“Since 1993, GBA has worked with small businesses, governments, institutions, nonprofits, and K12 schools in western PA to foster resilience, sustainability, and economic growth,” says GBA CEO Jenna Cramer.  “These reductions have resulted in $469 million in cumulative utility bill savings for businesses, organizations, schools, and governments – financial savings that can be reinvested into business, people, and communities. Together, these have led to an investment of over $2.3 billion in building renovations and healthy, sustainable new construction.

“These efforts have measurably transformed communities and the regional economy by generating private investment and supporting well-paying jobs, and we are grateful to Senator Fetterman for his support.”

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Green Building Alliance website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Alliance, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter and visit their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support their work.

Related Articles:

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-- Gov. Shapiro Signs Bipartisan Solar For Schools And Geologic Sequestration Of Carbon Bills Into Law  [PaEN]

-- Green Building Alliance Thanks Sen. Fetterman For Seeking Critical Grant Support For Program To Expand Small Business Resilience In Erie, New Kensington, Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Study Finds Solar Farms With Stormwater Controls Mitigate Runoff, Erosion  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 22, 2024]

7/29/2024