Pennsylvania

Federal Recovery Funds Will Help Local Governments, Non-Profit Groups Reduce Energy, Save Money

Nov. 17, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced Pennsylvania’s Conservation Works! grant program will save more than 570 million kilowatt hours of electricity, generate an additional 14.4 million kilowatt hours, and reduce natural gas use by 2.1 million thousand cubic feet over the lifetimes of the various projects.

Conservation Works! is a $22 million competitive grant program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to help local government and non-profit organizations improve energy efficiency, curb energy consumption and reduce energy costs by at least 25 percent.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Naomi Wyatt today provided details on how the state’s workforce will be further reduced due to budget cuts. The administration will begin furloughing 319 employees today.

“It is with deep and sincere regret that we announce these furloughs. This administration has been cutting costs and improving efficiency since 2003, but the sharp decline in state revenues left us with no other options,” Wyatt said. “While it was originally thought that up to 1,000 furloughs might be needed, the Governor was able to preserve as many jobs as possible by working to maintain spending at $27.8 billion and developing creative cost savings solutions.”    » read more »

Nov. 12, 2009 -- Harrisburg – More than $23 million was approved this week for 36 new solar and other alternative and clean energy projects that will help maintain Pennsylvania’s status as a national leader in the drive to create a green economy, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said.

“From a geothermal energy system for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie; to a new high-energy-performance, mixed-use building in Lancaster, these are the kinds of investments that are crucial if we are to continue developing clean energy resources and enhancing our reputation as a leader in the field,” Governor Rendell said. “I’m committed to supporting growth and innovation that promotes energy conservation and efficiency, a cleaner environment, and a stronger green economy.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- PITTSBURGH, PA- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today spoke at Carnegie Mellon University about Pennsylvania’s proud industrial and manufacturing heritage, natural resources and skilled workforce as a backdrop for the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. Senator Casey highlighted the important role Pennsylvania can play as our nation moves forward to regain control of our economy, our national security and our energy future.    » read more »

Nov. 10, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Beginning Nov. 22, Pennsylvanians who are out of work through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive up to 20 additional weeks of emergency unemployment compensation, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

“This latest round of federally funded benefits provides a badly needed financial lifeline to more than 35,000 Pennsylvania families who have exhausted their benefits and need to pay for food, shelter, utilities and other necessities as they seek to rejoin the workforce,” said Governor Rendell.    » read more »

Energy Efficiency Grants Helping to Cut Energy Costs in Half, Saving $1.8 Million

Nov. 9, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that 165 small businesses in 43 counties will slash their energy bills nearly in half and save $1.8 million annually in energy related costs with the help of Small Business Energy Efficiency grants from the commonwealth.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- SHANKSVILLE, Pa. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey and the families of the Flight 93 heroes to break ground on the Flight 93 National Memorial. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressmen John Murtha and Bill Shuster had representatives there on their behalf.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we say to the men and women of Flight 93 who gave their lives on September 11, 2001 to prevent terrorists from attacking our nation’s capital ‘We will never forget you,’” Salazar said. “This national memorial will always stand to honor you and to remind future generations that you fought and were victorious over the forces of evil.”    » read more »

Flags to Remain Lowered until Veterans Day

Nov. 6, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today ordered U.S. and state flags at commonwealth facilities to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of the soldiers who were killed and injured during a Nov. 5 shooting at Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

"This tragic news shocked the nation and we join Americans in grieving the losses and injuries inflicted by this violent act,” Governor Rendell said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen soldiers, their families, and the Fort Hood community.”

The Governor’s order follows that of President Barack Obama, who ordered all U.S. flags at federal buildings to be lowered until Veterans Day.    » read more »

8 November 2009 -- Washington -- Today, Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) made a historic vote to provide quality, affordable health care to Western Pennsylvanians. The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which passed the House of Representatives Saturday, will strengthen Medicare for seniors, relieve small businesses from unsustainable insurance costs, and provide affordable health insurance options for Americans, all while lowering our federal deficit over the next 10 years.    » read more »

02 November 2009 -- Washington -- Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper today announced that $1.4 billion is now available for Pennsylvania under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Pennsylvania will be eligible to apply for another $514,403,320 million later this fall. Today’s funding is being made available per Pennsylvania’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Pennsylvania’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

November 2, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that $1.4 billion is now available for Pennsylvania under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Pennsylvania will be eligible to apply for another $514,403,320 later this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per Pennsylvania’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.    » read more »

Urges Members to Communicate with Union Leaders

Nov. 3, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said he was “extremely disappointed” that contract negotiations for SEPTA broke down early this morning, resulting in a strike that crippled mass transit in the Philadelphia region.

The Governor became directly involved in SEPTA talks on Oct. 30 and participated in 14 hours of negotiations on Nov. 2. He said union leaders walked away from what he felt was a “sensational” contract offer, especially in light of challenging economic conditions.    » read more »

Over $5.5 million to PA for infrastructure improvements and Department of Interior projects including Flight 93 Memorial

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced that the U.S. Congress has passed an appropriations bill that includes millions in federal funding for several Pennsylvania interior and environmental projects. The funding is contained in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010 which passed both the House and Senate on Thursday. The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- October 27, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $233,184,232 to four companies in Pennsylvania to invest in Smart Grid Technology. Federal funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“I am pleased that this federal funding has been allocated to energy providers in Pennsylvania to reduce consumer costs and invest in infrastructure,” said Senator Casey. “This funding will allow Pennsylvania to continue to be a leader in conserving energy, increasing efficiency and harnessing innovative, renewable energy sources.”    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $233,184,232 to four companies in Pennsylvania to invest in Smart Grid Technology. Federal funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“I am pleased that this federal funding has been allocated to energy providers in Pennsylvania to reduce consumer costs and invest in infrastructure,” said Senator Casey. “This funding will allow Pennsylvania to continue to be a leader in conserving energy, increasing efficiency and harnessing innovative, renewable energy sources.”    » read more »