PUC To Host Feb. 9 Statewide Sustainable Energy Board Annual Meeting

The PA Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, will hold its annual meeting at 11 a.m., February 9, in Hearing Room 4 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg.  

In the event of inclement weather, the annual meeting will be held February 23, at the same location and time.

The meeting will provide updates from the regional Sustainable Energy Funds (SEFs) and update Commonwealth agencies and other interested groups on the funds’ activities.

Some of the projects being discussed at the meeting will include the following:

-- The Metropolitan-Edison Co. and Pennsylvania Electric Co. SEF will discuss 2016 grant and loan approvals and highlights from programs funded for various businesses.

-- The West Penn Power Co. SEF will showcase its funding commitments to the construction of high performance buildings and programs geared to raise public awareness.

-- The PPL Sustainable Energy Fund will provide overviews of its commercial loan program and non-profit energy savings agreement program, along with an update on EnergyPath 2016 and 2017.

-- The PECO Sustainable Development Fund will present information on SDF’s new energy loans that closed in 2016 and its experience with Energy Service Companies now providing guaranteed energy savings contracts for modest-sized commercial clients.

Vice Chairman Andrew G. Place will provide opening remarks. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the PA Environmental Council have been invited to attend.

The PASEB was originally established by the Commission in 1999 to provide oversight, guidance and technical assistance to the regional sustainable energy boards that fund projects such as wind farms, solar power systems, smart thermostat programs and the construction of buildings using energy efficient technologies.

On August 7, 2003, the Commission issued an order further defining the role of the PASEB. That order charged the PASEB with holding an annual meeting; enhancing communications among the four funds and state agencies; and establishing bylaws and a “best business practices” model.