EnviroPolitics Blog

Solar rebates return in PA but you’d better move quickly

There’s good news out of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection today for folks who have been waiting in line to take advantage of the state’s solar rebate program.

The department has received enough new money to mop up the backlog of applications and cover about 400 new installations in 2013.

Solar panel installers take note: There also is a new procedure to be followed when you apply for the rebates on behalf of your homeowner customers.

Check out the DEP news release below that we are publishing in its entirety.

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HARRISBURG — The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that it has received $7.25 million in funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to complete the agency’s Sunshine Solar Program. The program had been in a waiting-list phase since August 2011 because the demand exceeded available funds.

“This additional funding will go a long way to help fund solar projects for homeowners and small businesses across Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “The funding is enough to provide rebates for all projects currently on the waiting list and an estimated 400 additional installations this year.”

DEP also announced a change in how contractors will apply for solar rebates on behalf of homeowners moving forward and advises that projects associated with previously reserved rebate money must be completed by June 1, 2013. Contractors with projects on the waiting list have received direct notification from DEP outlining this change and are encouraged to participate in a related webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m.

“The previous process had contractors applying for and reserving rebate money on behalf of homeowners, then having to submit additional information for reimbursement after the project was completed,” Krancer said. “We have streamlined the process, allowing contractors to simply apply for a rebate after a project has been completed.

“The remaining funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis,” he said. “Homeowners and small business owners looking to take advantage of this limited funding should not delay in contacting a DEP-approved solar installer.”

A list of approved installers is available on DEP’s website, www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Sunshine. Registration information for the Feb. 12 webinar is also outlined on the Sunshine webpage, and information on rebate availability will be updated weekly.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was established as an independent agency to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.

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For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment

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Our most recent posts:
New state law spurs Philadelphia to create a ‘Land Bank’
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EnviroPolitics Podcast – Episode #2 (Interviews with Tom Johnson, Senator Bob Smith)

Environmental bills up for vote Monday in NJ Assembly
Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore
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Solar rebates return in PA but you’d better move quickly Read More »

New state law spurs Philadelphia to create a ‘Land Bank’

“The
redevelopment of vacant and blighted parcels has been a cumbersome, frustrating
and, in many cases unsuccessful, process for municipalities and developers
alike. Pennsylvania’s new land bank legislation could change all that.
Philadelphia, with its own land bank legislation is poised to take advantage of
the state legislation. “

In news alert to his law firm’s clients and friends, Alfred R. Fuscaldo, a Director in the Gibbons Real Property & Environmental Department, reports:

In October 2012, Governor Tom
Corbett signed into law House Bill No
1682, enabling legislation, which opens
the door for municipalities throughout the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania to establish land banks. Land banks create a vehicle to
return vacant, abandoned or tax delinquent properties back to productive use.
Over 75 municipalities throughout the United States have turned to land banks
as means to battle blight, rebuild neighborhoods and spur economic growth.

Frequently, multiple agencies within a city,
borough or township hold title to vacant, abandoned or tax delinquent
properties, complicating procedures to deal with those parcels. In sharp
contrast, a land bank serves as the central repository for such
government-owned properties within its boundaries so as to better position them
for redevelopment.

Once created by a municipality (or multiple
municipalities) by ordinance, land banks are governmental entities. Land banks
are governed by a board of between five and eleven members, at least one of
which must be a non-municipal employed resident of the jurisdiction who is a
member of a recognized civic association in the jurisdiction. Title to the
properties is held in the name of the land bank, and the land bank must make
its inventory of properties available for public review and inspection

Fuscaldo explains what land banks can do and how the City of Philadelphia is working to develop its own land bank. Read his entire article here.

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Our most recent posts:
Nominees to NJ enviro commissions, boards & councils
EnviroPolitics Podcast – Episode #2 (Interviews with Tom Johnson, Senator Bob Smith)

Environmental bills up for vote Monday in NJ Assembly
Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore
What’s the latest on site remediations in New Jersey?

New state law spurs Philadelphia to create a ‘Land Bank’ Read More »

Nominees to NJ enviro commissions, boards & councils

Governor Chris Christie yesterday proposed the following nominations which are subject to the review and approval of the state Senate:

DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL COMMISSION:

Julia Cobb Allen, of Flemington, to replace Martin D.
Jessen, resigned

Mary Allessio Leck, of Kendall Park, to replace Alison E.
Mitchell

Robert M. Bostock, of Lawrenceville, to replace David H.
Knights

John H. Gilbert, of Bedminster, to replace John Loos

Phillip Lubitz, of Kingwood, to replace Mayor David M.
DelVecchio, resigned
Anthony J. Persichelli, of Pennington, to replace the
Honorable Douglas H. Palmer
Bruce D. Stout, of Delaware Township, to replace Richard
C. Albert, resigned
Ed Trzaska, of Belle Mead, to replace Phyllis Marchard

NORTH JERSEY DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY
COMMISSION:

Howard L. Burrell, of Glenwood, to replace Louis A.
Cuccinello, resigned
Robert C. Garofalo, of Brielle, to replace Brenda Carol
Sherman

PASSAIC VALLEY SEWERAGE COMMISSION:

Thomas Tucci, of Nutley

SITE REMEDIATION PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
BOARD:

Robert D. Mutch, of Ramsey

TIDELANDS RESOURCE COUNCIL:

Martin L. Pagliughi, of Avalon, to succeed himself

*********************************************************************************************************** For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment

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Our new podcast: Interviews with NJ Spotlight Energy reporter Tom Johnson and NJ State Senator Bob Smith

Welcome to our new EnviroPolitics Podcast.

If you’re not familiar with the term podcast, just think of it as a radio show that you access via the Internet.

In our first episode on January 11, we spoke with Tavia Danch of Clean Ocean Action to learn what her organization is doing to match up volunteers with towns and homeowners who need help cleaning up after superstorm Sandy.

Today, in Episode 2, we visit NJ Spotlight‘s Energy Roundtable. You’ll hear energy reporter Tom Johnson talk about alternative fuel vehicles and Bob Smith, chairman of the NJ Senate’s Environment and Energy Committee, discuss:

how a court decision is complicating dune-rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, and
legislation that he says could help turn NJ into the Saudi Arabia of solar energy.

Let us know what you think of the show. Subscribe to it in the iTunes podcast directory.

Related environmental news stories:
NJ Moving Closer to Cheaper, Greener Transportation, Experts Say
Experts: Clean energy goals still a priority, post-Sandy

***********************************************************************************************************For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment
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Our most recent posts:

Our new podcast: Interviews with NJ Spotlight Energy reporter Tom Johnson and NJ State Senator Bob Smith Read More »

Environmental bills up for vote Monday in NJ Assembly

Members of the New Jersey Assembly will be asked to consider more than 60 pieces of legislation when they meet for a voting session in Trenton on Monday, January 28, 2013.

Among them are the following seven energy and environmental bills:

A-329 Dancer, R.S. (R-12); Conaway, H. (D-7);
Caride, M. (D-36)

Authorizes prescribed burning in certain
circumstances.

A-710 Ramos Jr., R.J. (D-33); McKeon, J.F. (D-27);
DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14)

Requires certain State departments, divisions,
commissions, and authorities to consider use of green or blue roof in
construction of certain new State buildings, facilities, and structures.

A-711 Ramos Jr., R.J. (D-33); McKeon, J.F. (D-27);
DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14)

Requires adoption of certain rules and regulations by DCA
and DEP concerning blue roofs and green roofs.

A-1154 Lampitt, P.R. (D-6); Vainieri Huttle, V.
(D-37); McKeon, J.F. (D-27)

Requires BPU to establish Energy Efficiency Leadership
awards program.

A-1822 Conaway, H. (D-7); Singleton, T. (D-7);
Riley, C.M. (D-3)

Requires DEP to conduct vibration analysis along
routes for disposal of dredged material from Delaware River. Related
Bill: S-2310

A-2887 Chivukula, U.J. (D-17); McKeon, J.F. (D-27)

Requires Energy Master Plan to include long-term
capacity planning and infrastructure planning.

A-3019 Wilson, G.L. (D-5); Lampitt, P.R. (D-6);
Caride, M. (D-36)

Authorizes public schools to serve to students certain
produce grown in community garden.

Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore
What’s the latest on site remediations in New Jersey?
What day to recycle? This NJ county has an app for that
Ill wind stirs: Chris Christie, Sandy, and the Tea Party
New energy & environment legislation in Pennsylvania

Environmental bills up for vote Monday in NJ Assembly Read More »

Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore

A segment of one of New Jersey’s outdoor jewels, highly popular with bathers, naturists and those who love surf fishing, has been partially reopened following the collection of tons of debris that piled up during Superstorm Sandy.

The entire 10-mile-long Island Beach State Park, located at the southern end of the barrier island that includes Seaside Park, had been closed since the storm ripped through dozens
of NJ shore communities in October.

Now, after the collection of tons of debris and the removal of up to seven feet of sand drifts from the road that runs through the park, one segment (Ocean Bathing Area 1) is open to the public for sport fishing, four-wheel driving and walking–with the usual user fees suspended.

*********************************************************************************************************** For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment
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The video above, shot by The (Bergen) Record’s Thomas E. Franklin, shows how Sandy ripped out a boardwalk that gave handicapped fishing enthusiasts access to the water and washed away many heavy rocks that formed a jetty at the southern tip of the park. The thought of what it took to move those boulders gives us renewed respect for the expression “the power of nature.”

Curiously, the governor’s summer beach home on the beach was left relatively unscathed. Proof that Mother Nature is a moderate to right-leaning Republican?

Related environmental news stories:

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Ivette P. Alvarado named a director at Gibbons law firm

Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore Read More »

Solar rebates return in PA but you’d better move quickly

New state law spurs Philadelphia to create a ‘Land Bank’

Nominees to NJ enviro commissions, boards & councils

Our new podcast: Interviews with NJ Spotlight Energy reporter Tom Johnson and NJ State Senator Bob Smith

Environmental bills up for vote Monday in NJ Assembly

Good news for those who like surf fishing at the NJ shore

Video: Island Beach State Park partially reopens 3 months after superstorm Sandy

Island Beach State Park is reopened after Sandy

Island Beach State Park Partially Reopened To Public, Three Months After Sandy

Island Beach State Park after Sandy (photos)

Bearing signs of Sandy’s strength (story & photos)