News

Click here to access the RFP.

As you know, most development projects require permits or authorizations from DEP and the following tools are intended to help streamline the process for applicants.    

Pre-Application Consultation Tool (PACT) and Pre-Application Meeting:.  DEP offers a handful of tools that can be of assistance to clients to determine whether or not permits will be necessary including a Pre-Application Consultation Tool (PACT), which is a questionnaire filled out on-line that immediately produces an email back to the applicant with a list of permitting considerations.  DEP also offers a pre-application meeting to clients.  This is a fantastic resource for the public.  The applicant would request a pre-application meeting with DEP and DEP would have all the appropriate program staff and possibly the Conservation District and Army Corps of Engineers at the table.  DEP listens to the client’s project pitch and then is able to provide feedback, identify and help mitigate any red flags, provide timeframes, etc.  DEP follows up in writing to all clients as well.   DEP has found that having a pre-application meeting early in the process can make a big difference in the flow of the project and get everyone on the same page from the get go.  NWRO Assistant Regional Director, Staci Gustafson, is the contact for pre-application meetings and the PACT.  She can be reached directly at 814.332.6935 and gustafson@pa.gov

If you are considering a brownfield remediation or redevelopment project in 2018, please take a look at DEP’s resources for those projects related to Act 2 and funding opportunities.

DEP Brownfield Success Stories: Undergoing an Act 2 cleanup can be an overwhelming process, but you will see through this webpage that many communities and developers have successfully undergone the Act 2 process, received an Act 2 Relief of Liability, and have brought many acres of once contaminated, blighted property back to productive use.  DEP looks forward to assisting you in doing the same.

DEP’s Brownfield Development Guide:  To help you navigate the process.

Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) Funds:  ISRP offers grant and low-interest loan financing to perform environmental site assessment and remediation work at former industrial sites.  The program is administered by Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) with close oversight of technical issues including work plan by regional DEP office.  Program guidelines and application instructions can be found here.  Note that the application process begins with a Letter of Intent being submitted to DCED.  This is outlined in the program guidelines.  ISRP is available to parties including EDCs who do not own the property for assessment activities.  You must be the property owner in order to be eligible for remediation funding.

EPA Brownfield Grants: A list of EPA’s Brownfield programs.  Western PA has had some luck accessing these competitive dollars. Lawrence County EDC received an assessment grant a few years ago and Greenville, Mercer County and a number of Pittsburgh area communities were recently awarded an EPA assessment grant.  Press release.

Finally, DEP works closely with its sister agencies to get make sure communities and clients are connected to the resources that they need.  PA DCED recently launched its new PA Business One-Stop Shop.   Whether you are thinking about starting your own business, expanding your existing company, or are considering a move to the Keystone State, this site will provide useful information to help you work smart and live happy in Pennsylvania.

The official press release can be found at this link.

Since April of 2013, Brian Hansbury has been the Vice President of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), a county-wide economic development organization whose mission is to expand employment opportunities and improve the overall quality of life for county residents. Brian is responsible for project management, marketing, financing and business outreach, and serves on multiple local, county and regional boards of directors.

Brian earned both Bachelor's and a Master's Degrees from Kutztown University in Public Administration and Political Science. Prior to joining the SEDCO staff, Brian spent six years with Greater Hazleton CAN DO in a similar capacity.

"I am honored to serve PEDA as the EDC committee co-chair with Steve McKnight.  I'm excited to get to work with Steve, PEDA Chairman Jim Becker and the rest of the Board of Directors. The EDC committee and PEDA continue to help guide policy and improve the economic conditions in the Commonwealth. 

Click here to access the Young Professional Scholarship Request Form for PEDA's fall conference. These scholarship opportunities are made available through the generosity of FirstEnergy Corp and Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

Pennsylvania Approves C-PACE Program

On June 12, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new, bipartisan bill that will help commercial and industrial property owners finance upgrades for energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy systems. Under the legislation, this bill will enable Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE).

Similar to the 33 other states who already run the program, it will be voluntary and will allow municipal governments to set up energy improvement districts, where private lenders can give money to commercial, industrial, or agricultural property owners for eligible improvements to buildings. C-PACE programs are growing in success, as last year these commercial and industrial properties accounted for over a quarter of U.S. energy consumption and about $521 million in investment through these programs,  according to a 2017 Department of Energy report.  C-PACE, however, can be time-consuming and complex for local governments to administer, especially in states like Pennsylvania, which is fragmented with 67 counties and 2,562 municipalities. The new legislation does not prescribe how the program will be administered.   

The bill, SB 234 moved through Pennsylvania’s legislature with broad support this year -- getting the approval of the state Senate (42-8) in January and House (163-28) at the end of May. While Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry does not track clean energy jobs, the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance found that the state’s clean energy sector is growing, and most jobs (about 55,000) were in fact related to energy efficiency.