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Industry News

Funding Available to Cut Your Energy Costs

Are you recognizing the need to cut your energy costs and begin to rely on alternative forms of energy?  As you may be aware, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has made $275 billion available in Federal grants, contracts and loans.  As a result, various funding opportunities now exist at the federal, state and local levels of our government that are making energy conservation initiatives more financially viable.  AHAdams&Company has been actively involved in assisting our clients to follow these programs and identifying those that are useful for their projects.

We would like to share with you a reference table that has been published by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that makes it easier for individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, etc. to understand which programs they are eligible for.  Please see our link below to a list of the energy and green technology funding programs offered by the PA DEP and other Commonwealth agencies.  You will find them sorted by eligible candidate.
http://www.dsireusa.org

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Redevelopment of Willow Grove

Development opportunities in the Redevelopment area of Willow Grove, as in many older suburbs across the United States, are defined by the location of existing roads and automobile circulation patterns.  The existing road and circulation patterns have largely evolved over time from circumstances which are not relevant to contemporary design criteria for efficient and sustainable vehicle movement and community development.  We began by asking, “what if we moved the roads.”  Here is what we see is possible in Willow Grove (click on each heading to see our ideas):

01 Existing Circulation Routes

Total acreage available for development:  99 acres.

Major circulation routes through Willow Grove illustrating existing potential commercial development areas.

02 Relocating Easton Road and Davisville Road
Total acreage available for development:  118 acres.

Davisville Road would be moved to align with the Septa rail tracks ending at Moreland Road.  Easton Road would utilize the Willow Grove Mall entry on Moreland Road near Easton Road and then extend through Willow Grove Shopping Center parking lot to align with York Road at the existing intersection of Easton and York Roads.  The smaller feeder roads from Moreland Road into the Willow Grove Mall would be consolidated, integrated or eliminated in a proposal within the larger area created for development.

03 Relocating Easton and Davisville Roads utilizing Park Avenue as a continuation of Easton Road
Total acreage available for development:  126 acres.

Davisville Road would be moved to align with Septa rail tracks to end at Moreland Road.  Easton Road would extend through Willow Grove Mall parking lot to align with Park Avenue and extend into the intersection of York and Easton Roads.

04 Relocating Easton and Davisville Roads and redirecting Moreland Road
Total acreage available for development:  128 acres.

The proposed realignment of York, Easton and Davisville Roads would be integrated with the relocation of Old Welsh Road.

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Pennsylvania Grant Programs for Renewable Energy Products

The State of Pennsylvania continues its efforts to cut energy costs and move towards energy independence through its grant, loan and rebate programs.  AHAdams&Company is assisting its clients with the application process for some of these pending grant programs:

Pennsylvania Grant Programs for Renewable Energy Products:

Renewable Energy Program – Geothermal and Wind Projects –
The Renewable Energy Program provides financial assistance in the forms of grants and loan funds to promote the use of alternative energy in the Commonwealth.  The program is administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

Solar Energy Program –
The Solar Energy Program provides financial assistance in the forms of grants and loan funds to promote the use of alternative energy in the Commonwealth.  The program is administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

Alternative and Clean Energy Program –
The Alternative and Clean Energy Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loan funds that will be used by eligible applicants for the utilization, development and construction of alternative and clean energy projects in the Commonwealth.  The program is administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

PA Conservation Works!  Harvesting 25% Energy Savings for Pennsylvania’s Communities –
As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pennsylvania is offering one-time grants for motivated local governments and non-profit entities with shovel-ready projects that will save or conserve a minimum of 25% of all energy used.  Final guidelines are expected to be released approximately June 22, 2009.  The program is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Questions may by directed to Mary Ann McGee at 215.659.8844 x203.

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