NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program under Section 903 of Act 101 (Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988)
[54 Pa.B. 66]
[Saturday, January 6, 2024]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the application period for Calendar Year 2023 under section 903 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101) (53 P.S. § 4000.903) will open on January 1, 2024. Only county governments within this Commonwealth are eligible to apply. Documents for this grant can be found on the Department's web site at www.dep.pa.gov (select ''Grants'' and under ''Local and State Governments'' select ''903 County Recycling Coordinator Grant—for county recycling coordinator positions'').
Application Requirements
The following documents are required to complete this grant application. Only the latest version of these forms will be accepted, unless otherwise directed. Do not submit any additional documentation with the application materials unless specifically requested. Documents must be properly completed for an application to be approved.
1. The 903 Application Spreadsheet (an Excel spreadsheet with three tabs—an Activities & Expenses Log, Wages & Benefits Log and County Expenses & Reimbursement Log (Department Use Only)).
2. Application for Reimbursement for a County Recycling Coordinator (Section A—F Form).
3. Expense documentation, such as any receipts/invoices and proof of payments necessary for requested reimbursements. Proof of payment can be in the form of an invoice showing a zero balance, paid receipt, cleared check (both sides) or bank/credit card statement showing that the county paid the fees for the requested reimbursement. Submit all expense documentation as one file. Note: Black out any personal/account information, as documentation will be placed in the Department's filing system.
4. The Worker Protection & Investment Certification Form. Properly fill out and have signed by the appropriate official.
5. If the designated County Recycling Coordinator (CRC) is an outside contractor*, the county must include with the grant application submission an agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the county and the person designated as the CRC. If there are multiple documents, submit documentation as one file.
* An outside contractor is any individual who does not work as an employee for the represented county, such as an employee of a private or public organization, an employee of a Solid Waste Authority or a private individual. An organization that contracts with the county must assign one individual to conduct the CRC responsibilities.
The agreement or MOU must also include the following:
a. Name of the organization or person, or both, who will perform the duties of the CRC.
b. Details of the duties of the organization or person, or both.
c. Percentage of salary, benefits, expenses, and the like, the organization or person, or both, incurs that the county will reimburse that organization or person, or both.
d. Detailed expectations (goals) the county has of the organization or person, or both, performing the recycling duties.
e. Must be signed and dated by all parties of the agreement or MOU and include effective dates.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be in compliance with the provisions of Act 101 to receive grant funding reimbursements. Applicants who are not in compliance with Act 101 and Annual Reporting requirements will not be considered.
It is expected the designated CRC will perform duties in addition to completing grant applications. These duties include, but are not limited to, improving collection methods, increasing the tonnages of recyclables collected, educating county residents about recycling, assisting municipalities with recycling, updating and maintaining required surveys in the County Recycling Report Program and Recycling & Compost Facility Directory in Re-TRAC Connect and other recycling related activities. A more detailed list of these responsibilities is found under the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Responsibilities'' section within the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Grant 903 Program Information Instructions'' on the Department's web site.
To have training/out-of-State travel reimbursed that is: 1) greater than 300 miles from workplace or residence; or 2) includes expenses totaling $300 or greater, at least 1 month prior to the actual training/travel event, a current Bureau of Waste Management Travel Request Form, along with an itinerary, must be submitted for approval to the designated Regional Recycling Coordinator and 903 County Recycling Program Grant Coordinator. These requirements are also required for virtual training with a company whose home address is out-of-State. This form is available on the Department's web site.
Eligible/Ineligible Costs
Counties are eligible for 50% reimbursement grants for the approved salary and expenses of employing a CRC. Applicants must specify only one individual to perform the CRC position for the purpose of reimbursement under section 903 of Act 101. Two individuals (for example, county employee and contractor or contractor's employee) cannot share the same position concurrently.
Eligible CRC costs include:
• 50% of salary/wages while conducting CRC recycling duties. For more information, see the ''Activities Eligible for Reimbursement for County Recycling Coordinator Grant Applications'' section in the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Grant 903 Program Information Instructions'' document on the Department's web site.
• 50% of CRC's employer costs for social security, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation and other approved benefits.
• 50% of expenses directly related to recycling.
Eligible recycling expenses include (Training/travel costs must follow State guidelines for reimbursement.):
• Training/travel costs directly related to recycling programs that occur within this Commonwealth.
• Pre-approved training/travel costs related to recycling programs that occur outside of this Commonwealth.
• Recycling program registration and membership fees.
Under this grant program, the following will not be eligible for reimbursement:
• Permit application activities not related to recycling.
• Consulting fees for technical consultation on specific permits.
• Clerical activities, including for example, the dropping off or picking up of mail, timesheets, paychecks, bank deposits and the like.
• Office equipment, office maintenance, cell phones and Internet subscription and access fees.
• Office supplies, duplicating and postage.
• Clothing allowances.
• Mileage driven to collect recyclables.
• Mileage driven between county offices employed.
• Other operational expenses (for example, driving vehicles for inspection, repair, and the like).
Further information regarding eligible and ineligible costs are listed in the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Grant 903 Program Information Instructions'' document on the Department's web site.
Application Deadline
Grant applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Electronic Single Application web site, eGrants, at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. The Department will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2024. Applications must be received on or before April 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. for the previous calendar year (January 1, 2023—December 31, 2023), to be eligible for funding. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Grant awards are predicated on the receipt of recycling fees required by sections 701 and 702 of Act 101 (52 P.S. §§ 4000.701 and 4000.702) and the availability of moneys in the Recycling Fund.
Contact Information
Inquiries concerning this notice should be directed to John Nantz, 903 Recycling Grants Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, Bureau of Waste Management, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, P.O. Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472, at jnantz@pa.gov or (717) 787-0120.
JESSICA SHIRLEY,
Interim Acting Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-13. Filed for public inspection January 5, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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