The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund will make grants to fund a variety of energy efficiency projects to nonprofits, government entities, and small-businesses within the Met-Ed and Penelec utility areas. Funding is only available to existing buildings (not new construction) and to organizations that own their buildings (not lease). A preliminary energy assessment must be completed to be considered for funding. If you have not had an energy assessment completed, contact fund staff to be connected with technical assistance.
There is $500,000 available per utility area ($1,000,000 total). Grants will typically range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Eligible projects include:
- Replacement of existing lighting with more energy-efficient lighting (more information here)
- Installation of high-efficiency HVAC projects (more information here)
- Installation of commercial kitchen and refrigeration improvements (more information here)
Process timeline:
- LOIs open April 15; Due May 15. See note below for details.
- Announcement of invitation to submit an application by May 30
- Application opens on June 1; Due July 15
- Funding decisions announced by September 30
Note: The LOI form is available online. Projects in the Met-Ed territory should fill out the form in Berks County Community Foundation’s grant portal. Projects in the Penelec territory should fill out the form in the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ grant portal. If invited to submit an application, applications will also be available in each grant portal.
An advisory board will review the applications and decide which projects will receive grant funding.
Contact information
In the Met-Ed rate district, please contact Emily Smedley:
Environment and Energy Program Officer, Berks County Community Foundation
Fund Manager, Met-Ed Sustainable Energy Fund
Emilys@bccf.org
In the Penelec rate district, please contact Mark Keim:
Program Officer, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
Fund Manager, Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund
mkeim@cfalleghenies.org
