Pennsylvania

Governor Rendell Announces Application for $5 Million Federal Recovery Act Grant to Train, Place Health Care Workers

Oct. 19, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth’s application for a $5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant will help provide training and placement services for approximately 1,430 Pennsylvanians seeking careers in health care.

“To help ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to the high-quality care they deserve, our workforce must have a greater number of highly skilled health care workers,” Governor Rendell said. “Health care is among our most important industries and it is adding jobs – even during this recession.”    » read more »

Introduces Forty New Hybrid Buses to the Area

October 19, 2009 -- Philadelphia, PA – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) took part in announcing the procurement of 40 new hybrid buses by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Following the release today of new data showing the Pennsylvania unemployment rate for September at 8.8 percent, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

“This news is another reminder of the toll taken by the recession.

“Although the Pennsylvania unemployment rate is one percentage point lower than the national rate, over half a million Pennsylvanians remain unemployed. A significant number of these people have been out of work for months and tens of thousands have had their unemployment benefits expire. That is why I hope that Congress acts quickly to pass a robust package to extend unemployment benefits.    » read more »

(PHILADELPHIA - October 19, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Allentown have announced an agreement to help the City prevent pollution, minimize waste, and conserve resources while saving money.

The agreement recognizes actions that Allentown has already taken along the path toward sustainability and commits both the city and EPA to furthering that progress.    » read more »

Energy Efficient Heating, Air Conditioning Equipment Rebates Will Complement Electric Utilities’ Rebate Programs

Oct. 16, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that Pennsylvania has applied for $10.9 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to create a rebate program that will make non-electrical heating, air conditioning and water heating equipment more affordable.

The PA Energy Equipment Rebate Program is intended to compliment residential energy conservation programs electric utilities will offer for heating, ventilation and air conditioning appliances that operate on electricity.    » read more »

Customers looking to save energy will soon have more help. PPL Electric Utilities will begin rolling out more than a dozen new energy efficiency programs over the next few months.

The programs, approved Thursday (10/15) by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, will offer something for all customer groups. They are PPL Electric Utilities’ response to Pennsylvania Act 129, which requires utilities to help customers reduce electric use and peak demand.

“Our programs provide great incentives to improve your home or business and save energy,” said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities. “These programs will reward you if you buy, build, renovate and act with energy efficiency in mind. They can help you save money and protect the environment.”    » read more »

Oct. 15, 2009 -- Harrisburg – The commonwealth’s first Citizens’ Update on its Recovery Act spending and programs is now available at www.recovery.pa.gov, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

The report, produced by the state’s Office of Accountability, provides a user-friendly narrative that expands on the required quarterly federal reports the commonwealth submitted on Oct. 9.

“Pennsylvania is among the top 10 states in terms of putting its Recovery transportation funds to use,” Rendell said. “We also want to be among the best in transparency. That means providing timely and easy-to-understand information to our citizens about how we are investing Recovery dollars. The Citizens’ Update is part of doing just that.”    » read more »

Oct. 14, 2009 -- Philadelphia – Pennsylvania’s commitment to energy conservation and green building practices is stimulating the economy and helping to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today told the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership.    » read more »

Outlines Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Plan Open for Public Comment until Nov. 9; Governor Says PA Must Do More to Protect Economy, Environment

Oct. 14, 2009 -- Philadelphia – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that the commonwealth is taking another significant step in its efforts to avoid the devastating effects of climate change as he outlined recommendations from the state’s Climate Change Action Plan, which are now open for public comment.

The report recommends 52 actions to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to a changing climate.

The Governor said climate change represents a serious threat to the future Pennsylvania’s economy, environment and the livelihoods of its residents.    » read more »

Could Create Thousands of Jobs

Oct. 13, 2009 -- York – Pointing to the findings of a national report issued today, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said hydropower holds tremendous potential for generating clean energy and creating jobs for Pennsylvania and the nation.

“America has only just begun to understand the potential of hydropower,” said Governor Rendell as he visited Voith Hydro, an innovative manufacturing facility that produces cost-effective hydroelectric generators and turbines used to make electricity in hydropower dams. “While newer forms of alternative renewable energy have attracted much attention lately, hydropower has been around for decades and continues to grow as a reliable source of green energy.”    » read more »

Payments for Social Services, Education, Others to Begin Soon

Oct. 9, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed legislation today to enact a $27.799 billion state General Fund budget for 2009-10 that increases education funding while reducing overall spending. It contains no new broad-based taxes.

State-dollar spending is $1.9 billion lower than in 2008-09. When $2.6 billion in federal stimulus dollars are included, the new budget still spends $524 million less than last year.    » read more »

First Federal Reports on Stimulus Spending Due This Weekend

Oct. 9, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Thousands of people are working in Pennsylvania because of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and millions are receiving direct benefits that help put food on their tables and keep their families afloat, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

Just six months into the 36-month stimulus initiative, Pennsylvania has nearly 40 percent of the funds that will be available invested or in progress. A U.S. House committee ranks Pennsylvania 7th among states for putting transportation funding to work.    » read more »

07 October 2009 -- Washington -- Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) today announced that Pennsylvania will receive more than $22 million in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The payments are part of a $1.7 billion program nationwide, announced today by USDA.    » read more »

Inspector General’s Office Enlisted To Investigate Complaints

Sept. 29, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – A newly established hotline will help ensure accountability and transparency of Pennsylvania’s share of American Recovery and Reinvestment funds, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

Opportunities for people to provide feedback and report suspected waste, fraud or abuse of funds have always been available on the Recovery Act Web site — www.Recovery.pa.gov. Now, an additional process is in place that goes directly to the Office of Inspector General to report any suspected illegal or irresponsible actions regarding Recovery spending.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- Bensalem, PA – At a Clean Energy Economy Forum with Governor Rendell in Bensalem today, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that DOE is awarding more than $36 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and conservation projects in communities across Pennsylvania.

Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, these funds are being awarded to Pennsylvania’s State Energy Office and local cities and counties to help lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs across the Keystone State.    » read more »