Households, small businesses, political subdivisions and companies that want to save money through energy conservation or that plan to develop alternative and renewable energy technologies can now register for email updates as information on Pennsylvania's new $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund becomes available.

Since Gov. Rendell signed Special Session Act 1 of 2008 into law earlier this month, the Department of Environmental Protection has received a large number of calls and emails from constituents and businesses seeking more information on the programs, according to DEP's Deputy Secretary for Energy and Technology Deployment Dan Griffiths.

"The response has been phenomenal and shows that the public and businesses are ready to use and develop alternative forms of energy and that they want to take steps to conserve energy and save money," said Griffiths. "Pennsylvania's families and employers are facing higher prices at the pump every day and they're wondering how much it's going to cost to heat their home this winter since heating oil is twice as expensive as it was last year. On top of that, they're worrying about a double-digit increase in their electricity bills in the coming year.

"Consumers are seeing all of this and looking at how it'll affect their pocketbook or their bottom line and they're searching for alternatives. The investments we'll make with the new Alternative Energy Investment Fund will help consumers take advantage of alternative technologies that are increasingly more cost effective and help them take on projects that will make their homes more energy efficient, which will save them money."

DEP, working with the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority, are developing the guidelines and applications for each program as called for in the law.

A quick list of new programs is available online. Other information is available on the Energy Independence Strategy webpage.

8/1/2008