The Highlights Foundation, with assistance from SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania, has received a $116,000 grant to support its Boyds Mills Net Positive initiative for The Highlights Foundation campus in Wayne County.

The grant is part of a highly competitive COVID-19 Restart Grant received from PA Energy Development Authority to quickly and successfully put workers back to work and assist the Commonwealth to meet its clean energy and climate goals.

The purpose of this grant is to:

-- Install a 70Kw solar array;

-- Upgrade heat and air conditioning units for energy efficiency;

-- Insulate cottages for energy conservation; and

-- Install energy management software to automate and monitor energy usage.

This grant will help The Highlights Foundation’s efforts to achieve its goal of net zero electricity-use on its campus.

Together with the help of SEEDS volunteers, the initiative has so far completed an assessment of power consumption on its campus, an installation of internet-controlled thermostats, the implementation of various conservation practices, and installed a solar PV system on one of its leased buildings just this summer.

This grant and the projects that it will fund will also require the help of SEEDS volunteers, who are specialized in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

“We’re thrilled to receive this matching grant to help us move forward with our sustainable energy work,” said George Brown, Executive Director of The Highlights Foundation. “Thanks to help from SEEDS, we were able to identify this grant opportunity, and were well-equipped to apply for this grant based on our prior work with SEEDS.”

“SEEDS is excited to provide technical assistance and volunteers to help make the Highlights Foundation a net-positive energy campus” says Jack Barnett, SEEDS board member and solar energy advocate. “Conserving energy and producing on-site renewable electricity greatly increases the resilience and sustainability of our community and its institutions.”

For over 35 years, The Highlights Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has been positively impacting the lives of children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. This is achieved through workshops and events that teach adults how to write and illustrate to children.

Visit the SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania for more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved.  Or follow them on Facebook.

Related Articles - SEEDS - Highlights:

-- PA Energy Development Authority Provides $1.7 Million In Grants To 11 Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency Projects

-- SEEDS And Highlights Foundation Complete Installation Of Solar Energy Array In Wayne County

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-- 2 Chester County Townships Join Brandywine-Christina Watershed Pay-For-Success Water Quality Cleanup Initiative By i2 Capital, The Nature Conservancy

-- Volunteers, Landowners & Staff Of Lebanon Valley Conservancy Highlight 2020 Accomplishments & Goals

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-- Grateful For Our Volunteers - The Department Of Conservation & Natural Resources

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[Posted: December 9, 2020]

12/14/2020