The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded nearly $5 million in grants to manufacturing projects across the state, including one in Berks County aimed at reducing energy costs and improving air quality.
The funding is part of the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program, which supports projects that cut industrial emissions and increase energy efficiency. State officials said the first round of grants is expected to save companies more than $500,000 in energy costs and prevent more than 5,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the first year alone.
In Berks County, Weaver Nut Company, Inc. was awarded $492,633 to install a roof-mounted solar system at its facility. The project is expected to offset nearly 20 percent of the company’s annual electricity use and save an estimated $62,133 in energy costs.
DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said the grants are designed to support manufacturers while also improving environmental outcomes.
“Pennsylvania has a long industrial history, and these RISE PA grants are going to help manufacturers build their business with lower energy costs, more energy focused jobs, and reduce air pollution for the surrounding communities,” Shirley said. “It’s a commonsense program that improves the economy and environment and continues Pennsylvania’s energy leadership.”
The grants were awarded through the Small-scale Award Track (SAT), a component of the broader $396 million RISE PA initiative funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The initiative focuses on helping industrial facilities adopt energy-efficient upgrades and emissions-reduction technologies.
The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program, known as PennTAP, manages the SAT program and provides no-cost site assessments to help manufacturers identify opportunities to lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact.
“The RISE PA program illustrates that Pennsylvania is at the forefront of addressing energy efficiency and its impact on industry, the environment, and residents,” said PennTAP Director Tanna Pugh. “We look forward to seeing the statewide impact of the projects.”
Fourteen projects were selected statewide in the first round of funding, including energy efficiency upgrades, emissions reduction efforts, and solar installations.
State officials said additional rounds of funding are planned through 2029. Applications for the next round are currently open through April 15, with additional award announcements expected later this year.