Grants available for projects and workforce development related to sustainable energy
The Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund will distribute $270,000 in grants throughout the Pennsylvania service territories of the Met-Ed and Penelec energy companies.
The fund will distribute $195,000 in grants this year for projects and programs that support the development and use of clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. Grants will range from $2,000 to $50,000 depending on the scope of the projects. Applications will be reviewed in two rounds. They will be accepted online from January 15 through March 15, with decisions to be made in July 2019. They will be accepted again from August 15 through October 15, with decisions to be made in December 2019.
The fund will also distribute three grants of $25,000 each in 2019 for programs within the fund territories that support workforce development in the sustainable energy field. Applications will only be accepted online from January 15 through March 15, 2019.
Previously, grant applications for the Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund were accepted yearlong on a rolling basis. Note that these are no longer rolling grant opportunities. Applications must be completed online by the stated deadlines to be considered.
The mission of the MetEd / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund is to provide grants, loans, and equity investments to promote:
• the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies.
• energy conservation and efficiency.
• sustainable businesses.
• projects that improve the environment in the companies’ service territories, as defined by their relationship to the companies’ transmission and distribution facilities.
While the fund primarily provides grants, it may also consider making investments, or loans, from time to time. Program-related investments provide capital that borrowers must pay back. The benefit energy of a program-related investment is the ability to receive a larger amount of capital for a project than what is available through the grant program. Program-related investments range from $25,000 to $500,000.
Eligible applicants must be located and/or serve residents within the territories of the Met-Ed and Penelec electric companies in Pennsylvania. Grant funding is prioritized for nonprofit entities. However, commercial or industrial organizations may apply. Individuals/residents are not eligible to apply.
More information and zip codes serviced by MetEd and Penelec are available at www.metedpenelecsef.org or www.bccf.org/ sustainable-energy-fund/. Or go to www.bccf.org, click on “Our Work” in the menu and choose “Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund.”
Since inception, the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund has approved 213 grants totaling $4,139,373; 47 loans totaling $24,488,724; and 3 equity investments totaling $1,600,000.