HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, said workshops and resources are available for contractors, local governments and businesses to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s energy independence strategies and the federal economic stimulus.
“Energy costs are going to rattle the budgets of households, businesses and governments,” said George, chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “All Pennsylvanians need to keep up to date on the emerging opportunities.”
George said home-improvement contractors need to pay special attention as incentives increase for energy-efficiency upgrades throughout the Commonwealth.
“The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements a year register with the Attorney General’s Office,” George said. “Contractors must register by July 1 or face being barred from working on home improvements.”
Registration applications and information – including fees – are available online or by calling 717 772-2425. Beginning July 1, consumers in Pennsylvania will be able to verify contractors’ registration through the Web site or by calling a toll-free hotline, (1) 888 520-6680.
Contractors also will have to be certified to provide services under Pennsylvania’s Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program, which provides special financing and rebates to homeowners for high- efficiency heating, air conditioning, insulation, windows, doors, geothermal and whole-house improvements.
George said the state Department of Environmental Protection is offering one-day workshops for contractor certification for the Keystone HELP program. Workshops are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Hampton Inns at 1777 Industrial Park Road, Clearfield, and 180 Charlotte Drive, Altoona. A $65 registration fee includes lunch and all course materials.
More information and registration details are available online.
George said June 30 is the first-round application deadline for homeowners interested in Keystone HELP’s special financing and rebates for high- efficiency heating, air conditioning, insulation, windows, doors, geothermal and whole-house improvements. Applications and information are available here, or by calling (1) 888 232-3477 toll free.
George said contractors also are being enrolled now to become certified installers under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program which will provide $100 million in grants to homeowners and small businesses to purchase and install solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems.
Applications and more information are available online at the DEP’s Web site, using “AEIF” (Alternative Energy Investment Fund Programs) as the key word. Guidelines for homeowners and small businesses undertaking solar energy projects will be announced later this year.
George said the DEP is providing free workshops this spring for small- and mid-sized businesses seeking to reduce their energy costs. A workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon May 27 at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Crimson Event Center.
More information and registration is available online, using the key word “ombudsman” and clicking on “Upcoming Events.” Applications for the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant and Renewable Energy programs will be accepted at the workshops.
George said local and county governments are encouraged to look into funding opportunities created by the federal economic stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Information about various funding programs is available online, where local government officials can register for an Internet-based information session on energy funding scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.