CFA Approves Guidelines For $25 Million High Performance Building Program

The Commonwealth Financing Authority this week approved guidelines to provide $25 million in grants and loans to families and businesses constructing or renovating buildings that meet high performance green building standards.

 

“The cheapest, cleanest energy is that which we do not use and by making our buildings more energy efficient, we’ll be able to significantly cut our energy bills and the pollution in our environment,” said Gov. Rendell, who noted that Pennsylvania is second only to California in the number of green buildings and that there are more than 5,000 manufacturers in the state producing green building products.

 

According to the United States Green Building Council, buildings account for nearly 40 percent of the nation’s total energy consumption and climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as almost 75 percent of total electricity use.

 

“We’re building a greener, cleaner economy in Pennsylvania by developing more alternative and renewable energy resources, and using our abundant fossil fuels in a more environmentally friendly manner,” said Gov. Rendell. “But despite efforts to produce more energy, at some point, demand will exceed our generation capacity. That’s why it’s essential that we do everything possible to reduce our energy consumption.

 

“Making sure that our buildings use less energy saves money and the environment. It also will create new jobs for our skilled workforce in positions that install and maintain these energy-saving technologies.”

 

Funds are available to anyone building or renovating a primary residence and to businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

 

Loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses; the maximum loan for an individual residential project is $100,000. Grants are not to exceed $500,000, or 10 percent, of total eligible costs, whichever is less. Applicants may apply for a grant or a loan, but not both.

 

The CFA also may provide loan guarantees not to exceed $2 million for a business and $100,000 for an individual.

 

Applicants may use the funds to acquire the land, buildings, rights-of-way and easements that are necessary to build an eligible project; to clear and prepare land; for planning, designing, modeling or consulting services; to register and certify the project with the U.S. Green Building Council; or for construction and renovation.

 

Costs incurred prior to the approval of a project are ineligible.

 

Applications will be evaluated based on the level of non-CFA matching investment; the number and quality of jobs to be created (small business applicants only); financial need; project readiness; sound land and water use; environmental benefits; nation and state of origin of building materials used to qualify the building as a high-performance building.

 

Matching funds of at least $1 for every $1 of program funds are required, and applicants must provide evidence of matching funds.

 

The program is administered by the departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

 

Program inquiries should be directed to: Department of Community and Economic Development, Center for Business Financing – Site Development Division, Solar Energy Program, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225, or send email to: ra-dcedcbf@state.pa.us.