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History
On May 3, 2000 the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) is incorporated as a Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation as a supporting organization of the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland. On July 19, 2000, the WPPSEF receives its Internal Revenue Service determination letter that provides its 501(c)(3) status. On August 1, 2000 the WPPSEF issues a request-for-proposal for its Fund Administrator. The Pennsylvania State University is selected as WPPSEF’s Fund Administrator service on November 15, 2000.
WPPSEF enters its first year of operations. The WPPSEF Board approves its business plan, “The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund: Unlocking Our Future. Economic Growth and Environmental Leadership” on May 10, 2001. WPPSEF first financial commitment was on May 10 to assist in the construction of the 9 MW Somerset Wind Farm. WPPSEF commits $300,000 as part of a subordinated loan with the Pennsylvania’s regional sustainable energy funds.
WPPSEF provides funding for its first solar photovoltaic grant (3.6 kW roof-mounted array at the Friends School in State College), its first small-scale wind turbine (10 kW Bergey wind turbine at the Donahoe Center in Greensburg), and its first lighting energy efficiency improvement (Allenport Borough Municipal Building).
WPPSEF Clean Energy Expo at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center draws over 11,000 attendees.
WPPSEF, AFC First Financial, and the Gemstone Group launches the Keystone Home Energy Loan (Keystone HELP) in the West Penn Power service region as a residential, ENERGY STAR financing program. WPPSEF commits $1.485M to launch Keystone HELP. In addition to Keystone HELP, WPPSEF commits $1M to the construction of the 24 MW Bear Creek wind farm near Wilkes-Barre.
Keystone HELP is expanded to state-wide with $20M in support from the PA Treasury. WPPSEF provides $25k to Carnegie Mellon University and $25k to Penn State to support the construction of their solar homes for DOE’s Solar Decathlon national competition in Washington D.C.
WPPSEF launches PA Home Energy which focuses on ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes (new homes) and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (existing homes). WPPSEF commits $1.14M to PA Home Energy and selects Performance Systems Development to manage the technical aspects of the program.
WPPSEF receives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2010 Special Recognition – Excellence in Energy Efficiency ENERGY STAR award for its PA Home Energy program.
WPPSEF provides a $150,000 grant to Phipps Conservancy to co-fund the construction of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes to Living Building Challenge standards.
WPPSEF provides $625,000 to the Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) to co-fund the construction of a LEED-certified Elk Country Campus Outdoors Building at the Elk Country Visitor Center near Benezette.
WPPSEF provides $100,000 to Geisinger Healthcare System to install a 38 kW roof-mounted solar PV system on the Janet Weis Children’s hospital in Danville. WPPSEF provides $100,000 to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to co-fund the construction of a LEED-Silver student residence building in Pittsburgh and $100,000 to Women-In-Need to co-fund the construction of a women’s advocacy shelter in Chambersburg.
WPPSEF celebrates 15 years of sustainable energy, lighting the way for the next generation. The evening event included an ambitious agenda with discussions from the leaders in the sustainable energy community along with the pioneers that led the way. Interactive displays showcased various technologies in the industry from 2000-2015.
WPPSEF provides $1.1M to ReFarm Café at Windswept Farm to co-fund the construction of a farm-to-fork restaurant to Living Building Challenge standards. WPPSEF works with SolarSense PA II PSU, LLC to provide $1.5M to co-fund the construction of a 3.0 MW solar farm in State College.
WPPSEF commits $50,000 in co-funding to the State College Borough Water Authority for variable speed pumps and roof mounted solar PV for the construction of the Nixon-Kocher water treatment facility which is designed to process 5M gal/ drinking water per day.
WPPSEF works with Wesley Family Services to install a 104 kW roof mounted solar PV system on their Pioneer Building in New Kensington which is certified to LEED and Passive House standards.
WPPSEF dedicates its Six&Kane building which was renovated during 2019-2022 to Passive House EnerPHit Plus standards.
WPPSEF works with Chatham University Eden Hall Campus Green Building program. Program involves student education, building retrofits, and community outreach.
West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Rebrands. In a significant moment for our organization, the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund has officially adopted a new name, becoming the West Penn Energy Fund. This pivotal change reflects a strategic evolution in our focus, marking a broader commitment to innovative energy solutions while honoring our legacy of sustainable practices. Stay tuned as we continue to shape a brighter energy future under our refreshed identity!