Businesses are tapping the earth's geothermal energy as an environmentally friendly way to provide energy to buildings.
Part of the growing popularity of green energy has crept into the American business world. Regardless of the size of a business, they are tapping into geothermal systems as sources for business and their own heating and cooling. Federal and state agencies offer grants that can help businesses install geothermal energy systems as well as conduct research and develop production lines for the clean energy form. Small business have the most grant opportunities available to them because the federal government rarely awards grants to large companies. But both sizes can access many state-level grants.
Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has allotted $30 million to award to small businesses to install clean energy technologies. The department gives the money through the Phase III Xlerator Program for Energy Research and Renewable Energy, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Fossil Energy and Nuclear Energy. The money comes from the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer federal grant programs. In order for a small business to receive money from this program, it needs to have received grants from the SBIT or STTR's previous phases. Business must apply through Grants.gov.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Mail Stop EE-1
Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
877-337-3463
eere.energy.gov
Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development provides grants to small business in rural communities, as well as farmers and ranchers, to help them buy renewable energy systems. Along with geothermal systems, the Rural Energy for America Program covers the purchases of wind, solar or biomass systems. The grant program also covers certain types of upgrades, such as replacing HVAC systems or windows. Small businesses must meet the definition for one the Small Business Administration sets. The USDA also sets financial and population restrictions for eligibility.
USDA Rural Development, Room 205-W
Mail Stop 0107
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-4581
rurdev.usda.gov
California Energy Commission
Many states agencies award grants to help businesses develop geothermal programs. The California Energy Commission awards grants to companies that research, develop, demonstrate or commercialize geothermal energy. A power company in Mammoth Lake, Calif., for example, can receive $1 million from the state, with an approximately $4.6 million match, to install evaporative cooling of geothermal power plants with recycled water. The method involves cooling air by using evaporation to draw away surrounding warmth.
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-29
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-4287
energy.ca.gov
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Renewable Energy Program awards grants to manufacturing business based on how many jobs they create by beginning geothermal system production lines. The state awards up to $5,000 for every job a business creates and individual grantees can receive up to $5 million. Applicants must match the grants dollar-for-dollar. The program also offers loans valued up to $35,000 for every job created.
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
866-466-3972 (1-866-GO-NEWPA)
newpa.com
Tags: Renewable Energy, awards grants, California Energy, California Energy Commission, Department Energy, Energy Commission
