HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, has announced that several grant and rebate programs are currently accepting applications, and that Clearfield County was recently awarded a grant for its recycling program.
“I’m especially happy to announce grants that are available and grants recently received, all at the same time,” George said. “This brings the process around full circle and shows that if people and organizations apply, these dollars do come to Clearfield County.”
George said that the Coldwater Heritage Partnership recently announced the opening of the 2013 Coldwater Conservation Grants Program. The program provides two grant opportunities that help to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania’s coldwater ecosystems.
“This is a great program that has repeatedly been successful in our area,” George said. “In the last two years, our county has received roughly $12,500 in grants from this program.”
Two types of grants are available: planning grants, designed to help develop a conservation plan that identifies the values and threats that impact the health of our coldwater ecosystems, as well as implementation grants, designed to provide funding to projects recommended in a completed conservation plan or report.
“The goals of this grant program are essential to maintaining clean streams,” George said. “The Partnership provides funding for gathering data for our coldwater ecosystems, identifying potential threats or impacts on those streams, building community awareness and formulating plans to further conserve and protect those resources.”
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership, a collaborative effort of Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, awards the grants annually. Interested applicants can get more information here and applications are due Dec. 14.
George also said that the state Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for watershed protection and restoration grants and Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act grants through the Growing Greener Plus program.
“The Growing Greener program has proven over the years to be a great success,” George said. “The application process takes a little bit of time, so I urge interested people to start early.”
More information can be found on the DEP’s web site and entering the keyword “Growing Greener.” Applications are due Oct. 26.
George also said that there is currently a $500 rebate available to Penelec, Met-Ed, and Penn Power customers who install a qualified solar thermal heater in their homes.
“Solar thermal heaters are a smart and effective way to reduce energy costs,” George said. “Estimates have said that these heaters can provide up to a 50 percent reduction in annual energy costs. Additionally, they may qualify for federal tax credits.”
The $500 rebate is available to residential customers on qualified equipment purchased between Oct. 28, 2009 and May 31, 2013. For more information, visit here.
Finally, George said that the state DEP recently awarded Clearfield County a grant under the County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program of Act 101 of 1988.
“This grant helps promote our area’s already successful recycling program,” George said. “Back in March, we received more than $10,000 in grants for our volume of recycled materials.”
The latest grant, which was for more than $13,500, will be used to reimburse 50 percent of the county recycling coordinator’s salary and expenses.
“As long as we continue to apply for available grants, our region will benefit from them,” George said. “I encourage anyone interested to apply for the grants and rebates mentioned here.”