DEP promotes rebates, grants, loans, tax credits

Sometimes it takes money to save money, an investment the state is willing to make through a multi-million dollar alternative energy program.

Solar, wind, biodiesel, geothermal - those are some of the power sources that will drive homeowners and businesses to take advantage of the tax credits, grants, loans and rebates possible in this $665.9 million program.

"Hopefully, there will be less expensive energy generation down the road," said Charlie Young, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Some businesses will be encouraged to generate environmentally friendly power, Young said. Others will want to manufacture the parts that collect and relay the energy in those plants.

Solar plants can't operate without production of solar panels in factories, he reasoned.

As all this activity is expected to generate jobs and stimulate the economy, homeowners can also benefit from the government program.

"We're still putting together the proper guidelines and applications," Young said of the homeowner program.

Everyone involved will be striving toward the same goal.

"They'll reduce energy consumption and produce their own power - clean power," Young said.

To register, go to www.depweb.state.pa.us, click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon, then click on the green envelope icon on the left-hand side of the Web page.

Young encouraged Web site visitors to register for e-mail updates of savings programs not yet offered.

While details are still being worked out, the state has defined how it will distribute $665.9 million.

Those allocations, according to Young, include $500 million that provides:

$165 million to spur non-solar alternative and renewable energy project development among businesses and political subdivisions.

$100 million to help homeowners and small businesses install solar energy technology.

$80 million for economic development projects in the solar sector.

$40 million to the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, meant to assist energy efficiency technologies in new, start-up businesses.

$25 million for wind energy and geothermal projects.

$25 million for green buildings and their energy-efficient structures.

$40 million to support Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program customers manage energy prices and other needs.

$25 million for pollution control technology; helping energy generators meet government guidelines.

An additional $150 million will:

Help homeowners and small businesses pay for purchasing and installation of energy conservation tools and building weatherization.

Provide tax credits for developing and building alternative energy projects.

Support an Energy Efficient Loan Fund through the state's Housing Finance Agency.

The remaining $15.9 million is expected to:

Further establish ethanol and biofuel production and consumption. Through this legislation, every gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state must contain certain percentages of biofuels.