NOTICES
Advanced Energy Project Development; Letter of Interest Solicitation
[35 Pa.B. 1391] The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is interested in promoting the development of a new manufacturing sector in this Commonwealth that focuses on advanced and renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation and clean advanced energy businesses. In addition, the Department seeks to encourage manufacturers in this sector who are located elsewhere to consider establishing manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution businesses in this Commonwealth. Proposals for manufacturing relocations, expansions or proposals related to specific energy project development opportunities are of particular interest to the State. Interested parties are encouraged to respond with a letter of interest that should include the following:
A two-page executive summary that includes a description of the project, project principals, goals and objectives of the project, financial requirements, if any, and expected project benefits, including job statistics, economic development benefits, environmental improvements, and the like. Include a general overview of the company, including its history, present situation and future goals. If past sales and market development data are available, include these.
The Department is most interested in project proposals that will establish long-term manufacturing operations within this Commonwealth or will provide low-cost, reliable energy to manufacturers and industrial customers from energy resources indigenous to this Commonwealth, such as coal gasification, coal-mine methane, waste coal, biomass, wind and solar. However, project summaries should not be limited to these categories. The Department will entertain any energy projects that provide the potential for long-term economic and environmental benefits to this Commonwealth.
The deadline for response to this letter of interest solicitation is April 1, 2005. The Department will work with the Governor's Action Team and the Departments of Community and Economic Development and Agriculture to identify project funding from various Commonwealth funding sources. As appropriate, the Department may also help to identify project partners for promising proposals.
What the Department has to Offer Successful Applicants
Governor Rendell has made the promotion of advanced energy a cornerstone of this Commonwealth's economic revitalization strategy. Affordable, reliable and environmentally beneficial energy is the foundation for a growing economy. The Commonwealth has adopted a number of progressive policy and financial tools designed to promote advanced energy projects in this Commonwealth, including:
* An Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard requiring 18% of the electricity sold at retail in this Commonwealth to come from advanced sources, including 8% from renewables with a substantial solar requirement.
* The Commonwealth is in the process of adopting Statewide standards for net metering and interconnection.
* A restructured, competitive electricity market, including the largest competitive wholesale electricity market in the world managed by PJM.
* Up to $1 billion in tax-exempt bond financing for energy development in this Commonwealth.
* Up to $100 million to support energy efficiency and renewable-energy projects that benefit the agricultural sector.
* $20 million in grants for alternative fuels projects.
* $5 million in grants annually for small-scale renewable, energy efficiency and advanced energy projects.
* $10 million in grants, loans and loan guarantees for advanced energy projects.
* Opportunities for low-cost, long-term partnerships with existing manufacturers and industrial operations.
* Other funding, financing guarantees, tax and research credits are also available.
This Commonwealth has a wealth of natural resources and infrastructure that makes it a prime location for advanced energy development, including approximately 300 years of proven coal reserves, 11.3 trillion cubic feet of coal-mine methane, the largest stream and river system in the continental United States, a large agricultural sector and some of the most significant wind resources in the northeastern United States.
This Commonwealth is located at the center of the largest, wealthiest market in North America. Six out of ten major United States markets lie within a 500-mile radius of this Commonwealth's capital, Harrisburg. This radius provides access to more than 40% of the United States and Canadian population and purchasing power. This Commonwealth's sophisticated transportation system includes six international airports, 5,600 miles of railways, 44,000 miles of highways and three major ports with access to the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Questions related to this letter of interest solicitation should be referred to Eric Thumma or Jeanne Dworetzky, (717) 783-0540, ethumma@state.pa.us or jdworetzky@ state.pa.us.
Responses to this letter of interest solicitation should be mailed to the Office of Energy and Technology Development, Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772.
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-322. Filed for public inspection February 18, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
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