Pennsylvania

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 »

Governor Rendell Announces Application for $5 Million Federal Recovery Act Grant to Train, Place Health Care Workers

Oct. 19, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth’s application for a $5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant will help provide training and placement services for approximately 1,430 Pennsylvanians seeking careers in health care.

“To help ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to the high-quality care they deserve, our workforce must have a greater number of highly skilled health care workers,” Governor Rendell said. “Health care is among our most important industries and it is adding jobs – even during this recession.”    » read more »

Introduces Forty New Hybrid Buses to the Area

October 19, 2009 -- Philadelphia, PA – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) took part in announcing the procurement of 40 new hybrid buses by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Following the release today of new data showing the Pennsylvania unemployment rate for September at 8.8 percent, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

“This news is another reminder of the toll taken by the recession.

“Although the Pennsylvania unemployment rate is one percentage point lower than the national rate, over half a million Pennsylvanians remain unemployed. A significant number of these people have been out of work for months and tens of thousands have had their unemployment benefits expire. That is why I hope that Congress acts quickly to pass a robust package to extend unemployment benefits.    » read more »

(PHILADELPHIA - October 19, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Allentown have announced an agreement to help the City prevent pollution, minimize waste, and conserve resources while saving money.

The agreement recognizes actions that Allentown has already taken along the path toward sustainability and commits both the city and EPA to furthering that progress.    » read more »

Energy Efficient Heating, Air Conditioning Equipment Rebates Will Complement Electric Utilities’ Rebate Programs

Oct. 16, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that Pennsylvania has applied for $10.9 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to create a rebate program that will make non-electrical heating, air conditioning and water heating equipment more affordable.

The PA Energy Equipment Rebate Program is intended to compliment residential energy conservation programs electric utilities will offer for heating, ventilation and air conditioning appliances that operate on electricity.    » read more »

Customers looking to save energy will soon have more help. PPL Electric Utilities will begin rolling out more than a dozen new energy efficiency programs over the next few months.

The programs, approved Thursday (10/15) by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, will offer something for all customer groups. They are PPL Electric Utilities’ response to Pennsylvania Act 129, which requires utilities to help customers reduce electric use and peak demand.

“Our programs provide great incentives to improve your home or business and save energy,” said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities. “These programs will reward you if you buy, build, renovate and act with energy efficiency in mind. They can help you save money and protect the environment.”    » read more »

Oct. 15, 2009 -- Harrisburg – The commonwealth’s first Citizens’ Update on its Recovery Act spending and programs is now available at www.recovery.pa.gov, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

The report, produced by the state’s Office of Accountability, provides a user-friendly narrative that expands on the required quarterly federal reports the commonwealth submitted on Oct. 9.

“Pennsylvania is among the top 10 states in terms of putting its Recovery transportation funds to use,” Rendell said. “We also want to be among the best in transparency. That means providing timely and easy-to-understand information to our citizens about how we are investing Recovery dollars. The Citizens’ Update is part of doing just that.”    » read more »

Oct. 14, 2009 -- Philadelphia – Pennsylvania’s commitment to energy conservation and green building practices is stimulating the economy and helping to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today told the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership.    » read more »

Outlines Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Plan Open for Public Comment until Nov. 9; Governor Says PA Must Do More to Protect Economy, Environment

Oct. 14, 2009 -- Philadelphia – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that the commonwealth is taking another significant step in its efforts to avoid the devastating effects of climate change as he outlined recommendations from the state’s Climate Change Action Plan, which are now open for public comment.

The report recommends 52 actions to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to a changing climate.

The Governor said climate change represents a serious threat to the future Pennsylvania’s economy, environment and the livelihoods of its residents.    » read more »