Up to $25,000 Loan for Energy Efficient Technologies and Weatherization
Adams Electric Cooperative offers financing to help its residential customers increase the energy efficiency of their homes through their Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) and Supplemental Loan Program. Residents who qualify for a loan can borrow up to $25,000 with terms of 1-7 years for installations in either existing or new houses. The loan can be used to finance a variety of heating/cooling systems and weatherization projects in both new housing or in existing housing. Supplemental loan money is available for ground source heat pump installations, heat pump plus installations, dual fuel installations, electric thermal storage units, and other demand side management installations. Contact: Loan Program, Adams Electric Cooperative, 1338 Biglerville Rd, PO Box 1055, Gettysburg, PA 17325-1055; 717-334-2171; 888-232-6732; Fax: 717-334-3980; http://www.adamsec.com/Products/LowCostLoans/tabid/82/Default.aspx

Loans up to $35,000 to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Funded by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department and administered by AFC First, the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is a low-interest loan program for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. Many efficiency improvements are covered including improvements to heating and cooling systems, upgrades to windows, doors, insulation and siding, and upgrades of lighting and ceiling fans. This loan covers the purchase and installation of solar, wind and geothermal systems. Participants may choose either a secured or an unsecured loan depending on their needs and plans. Unsecured loans have a 3, 5, or 10-year repayment term at an 8.99% interest rate, but some low-income participants may qualify for a lower 6.99% interest rate; this type of loan is available for amounts from $1,000 - $10,000. Secured home equity loans with terms of 10, 15, or 20 years are available for amounts from $10,000 - $35,000 at interest rates of 6.375% - 8.875%. The interest rate will depend on the term of the loan. Contact: AFC First Financial Corporation, PO Box 3558, 1005 Brookside Rd - Suite 200, Allentown, PA 18106; 610-433-7486; 888-232-3477; Fax: 610-433-7488;  http://www.keystonehelp.com/

100% Of System Value Exempted from Property Tax for Wind Farms
Pennsylvania enacted legislation in November 2006 providing that wind turbines and related equipment (including towers and foundations) may not be counted by tax assessors when setting property values. However, the law states that the valuation of real property used for the purpose of wind-energy generation "shall be developed by the county assessor utilizing the income capitalization approach to value." This valuation is determined by the capitalized value of the land-lease agreements, supplemented by a sales comparison data approach as deemed necessary by county assessors. Lessees or lessors must provide relevant, non-proprietary lease and lease-income information to county assessors by September 1 of each year. Contact: Public Information - PA DOR, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Service & Information Center, P.O. Box 280610, Harrisburg, PA 17128-0610; 717-787-1064; 717-787-8201; http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/

Grants & Loans Available in Sustainable Development Fund Financing Program
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission created the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). The Reinvestment Fund, Inc. (TRF), which was formed in 1985 to build wealth and opportunity for low-wealth communities and low- and moderate-income individuals, administers the SDF. The SDF provides financial assistance to eligible projects in the form of grants and equity financing. The Sustainable Development Fund provides financial assistance for ventures that generate electricity using renewable energy sources. Contact: Sustainable Development Fund, 718 Arch Street, Suite 300 North, 7217 Oak Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19105; 215-574-5850; http://www.trfund.com/sdf/financing.html

Lesko recently spoke with Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord after a press conference announcing a new low-cost financing program designed to help homeowners save on energy costs.  Here’s what he found out:  State officials recently announced an expansion of incentives for home energy efficiency.  Through the Alternative Energy Investment Fund, Pennsylvania homeowners have received low-interest loans to buy Energy Star appliances and make energy-efficient upgrades.  Under the revised program, homeowners making less than $150,000 can get a low-interest loan or rebate for appliances or upgrades that meet or exceed the federal government's Energy Star ratings for energy efficiency.  Other homeowners can get whole-house improvement loans – at rates as low as 3.875% - if they pinpoint their homes' energy-hogging areas through energy audits.  A new $325 credit can offset the audit, which can cost up to $500. The program can help homeowners save electricity now and mitigate higher electric bills when the prices go up.  Learn more about the programs available under this fund here:  http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/energindependent/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=543707&energindependentNav=| and here:  http://www.keystonehelp.com/ or contact:  Office of Energy and Technology Deployment; 717-783-8411.

Many utility companies offer free home energy audits to customers and then often offer rebates and incentives if you have an approved contractor make the energy improvements.  For example, in Pennsylvania’s PPL Electric Utilities offers home energy evaluations by SECCO Home Services Home Energy Expert and up to $250 in rebates from PPL Electric Utilities. Rebates are limited to the first 5,000 PPL Electric Utilities customers who act quickly.  Other utilities will offer a similar program.  To find out how you can take advantage of a FREE home energy audit, you may want to try contacting your local utility company to see what services are available from them as well:  http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Penn.htm.  Not in Pennsylvania?  Just contact your local utility company and ask them what energy programs are available to you:  http://liheap.ncat.org/sp.htm