HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that its Shared Energy Manager Program helped 22 local governments identify over $2.8 million in annual energy savings in 2024. This initiative, funded by the State Energy Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, underscores the state’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.
“Saving energy means saving money, and thanks to the Shared Energy Manager Program, these local governments have nearly $3 million in energy savings,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. She emphasized the program’s success and the department’s enthusiasm for enrolling a new group of participants in 2025.
The program connects municipalities with engineering experts who assess energy use and guide cost-saving initiatives. Key services include energy benchmarking, government facility assessments, feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, and strategies for adopting electric vehicle fleets. Participants in 2024 collectively reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 10,000 metric tons annually.
Wilson Engineering, the firm contracted as the shared energy manager, collaborated with local governments on sustainability and renewable energy efforts. Projects often focused on transitioning to solar power, minimizing building energy use, and other emission-reducing measures.
The 2024 cohort, which concluded in December, featured 22 participants, including notable governments such as Bucks County, Chester County, Lower Merion Township, and the cities of Allentown and Easton. Smaller municipalities like Sharpsburg Borough and Camp Hill Borough also benefited from the program’s cost-cutting measures.
Applications for the 2025 program cohort are open through January 31, 2025. Preference will be given to organizations with climate action plans, those in environmental justice areas, and previous participants of DEP’s Local Climate Assistance Program. Eligible applicants include school districts, municipalities, and regional planning organizations aiming to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
This initiative continues Pennsylvania’s effort to foster a sustainable future while offering tangible financial benefits to local governments.
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