Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
March 5, 2009

Keystone Help Program

The weather is beginning to warm up, but energy bills will still be a major part of the family budget.

With the economy sagging and families facing financial uncertainty, investing in energy efficiency might be the last item on anyone's "To Do" list.  Fortunately, Pennsylvania is expanding effort to make energy conservation and efficiency measures more affordable for households.

Last year, the Legislature passed the Alternative Energy Investment Act, which includes the new, $17 million Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program.  This will make it easier for families to insulate their homes, seal off drafts, or install things like high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, geothermal heat pumps, and ENERGY STAR-qualified windows and doors.

It's worth making these improvements soon.  They can help you avoid the full impact of higher energy costs, especially as the remaining caps on electricity rates expire over the next two years.

The Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan and Rebate Program is an expansion of the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program, or Keystone HELP, that was created in 2006 to offer affordable energy efficiency financing options.

Under the new program, the Department of Environmental Protection will provide $3.5 million to reduce the interest rates on nearly $16 million in low-interest loans, as well as $1 million for rebates through the new energy efficiency program.  The loan capital is provided by the state Treasury Department, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority.

Two of the low-interest loans offered through the new program provide a credit of up to $325 for energy audits when loans are issued for work recommended by certified energy auditors.

Many homeowners will see immediate savings on their energy efficiency investments because of reduced energy consumption with the help of the program, while others will benefit from a shorter payback period on the costs to purchase and make the improvements.

Homeowners can receive greater returns on their investments by planning upgrades using a "whole-house" approach that examines the home as an interdependent set of systems for controlling temperature, air flows, moisture and other factors that impact monthly energy bills. Comfort and air quality are also considered.

Energy efficiency professionals contracted through the Keystone HELP program can help homeowners prioritize investments to optimize energy efficiency and maximize savings.

Applications and program guidelines are available at www.keystonehelp.com.  The website provides information on energy savings, and will help you find an approved contractor or energy auditor.  The deadline for applications is June 30, 2009.

There are plenty of steps you can take on your own to cut energy costs.  You can install Energy Star qualified light bulbs, which are 75 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and wrap your hot water heater in an insulation kit.  Run your washer, dryer, and dishwasher only with a full load, and seal and insulate your home to improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs.

I encourage you to look into what Keystone HELP has to offer, and have a wonderful spring.

As always, if you have questions on this or any state government matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at 814-453-2515.