Pennsylvania Small Business energy saving program

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the availability of grant funding in the 8th year of the Commonwealth's Advantage Grant Program (Program) for small business pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. Small Business Advantage is a grant program providing up to 50% reimbursement grants, to a maximum of $9,500, to enable a small business in this Commonwealth to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Well designed energy efficient or pollution prevention projects can help small businesses cut costs and reduce the risk of potential regulatory problems, while simultaneously protecting the environment.

 An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business owner whose business or facility is located within this Commonwealth. All Commonwealth small businesses are eligible, including but not limited to manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns. The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant's Commonwealth facility.

 For a copy of the application or to review the Program's administrative requirements, contact Rhonda Brown at the Office of External Affairs at (717) 772-8909. To ask a technical question concerning a project, write to epadvantagegrant@pa.gov before submitting an application. The Department will continue accepting applications until 4 p.m. on September 26, 2012, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.

 Applications are most quickly obtained from the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us, click on ''Energy,'' and then click ''Small Business Ombudsman's Office.'' Applications are also available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, 2nd Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, (717) 772-8909. The application package contains the materials and instructions necessary for applying for the Small Business Advantage Grant.

 Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by 4 p.m. on September 26, 2012. Faxes or other electronic submissions will not be accepted.