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PADEP Community Energy Development Program Application Form

2026 Community Energy Development Program Application

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites local governments to express interest in the 2026 Community Energy Development (CED) program. ProtoGen, Inc. has been selected as the program contractor to provide free technical assistance to participating communities. The program goes beyond helping municipalities manage their own energy costs. Its purpose is to help local governments develop the tools, plans, and partnerships needed to lower energy costs and expand energy options for their residents and businesses as well.
This brief survey helps DEP and ProtoGen understand your community's situation and goals so we can assess fit for the program and tailor assistance to your needs. Completion takes approximately 10 minutes.
Program capacity is limited to 8 participants. Preference will be given to prior LCAP participants, communities with adopted climate action plans, and Environmental/Energy Justice communities. Applications close April 15, 2026.
Participation Expectations. By submitting this survey, the primary contact is confirming their organization’s commitment to participate in the 2026 CED program for the complete assessment of their designated project proposal or the full program period (whichever is shorter) and has received all necessary approvals at the local level to do so. Participants will be notified via email if space is available, as the program is limited to 8 participants per year. During participation, organizations must keep the lines of communication open between the contractor, the DEP Energy Programs Office, and their local government, and must provide any required data or information in a timely manner.
1.Section 1: Organization Information - Organization Name(Required.)
2.Section 1: Organization Information - Organization Type
Please provide the full name, title, email address, AND phone number for the contact person who will manage the efforts of and serve as liaison for the participating local government or school.(Required.)
3.Section 1: Organization Information - Primary Contact
It is recommended but not required to have a secondary point of contact. Please provide the full name, title, email address, AND phone number for your secondary contact.
4.Section 1: Organization Information - Secondary Contact
It is recommended but not required to have a secondary point of contact. Please provide the full name, title, email address, AND phone number for your secondary contact.
5.Section 2: Organizational Capacity - Approximately how many staff hours per month can your organization dedicate to this program?
6.Section 2: Organizational Capacity - Does your organization have existing relationships or contracts with any of the following? Check all that apply.
7.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - Has your organization previously participated in the DEP/Penn State Local Climate Action Plan (LCAP) program?
8.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - Has your organization previously participated in the DEP Shared Energy Manager (SEM) program?
9.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - Does your organization have a formally adopted climate action plan, sustainability plan, or energy transition plan?
10.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - If you have an adopted climate action/energy transition/sustainability plan, in what year was it adopted, and who developed it?
11.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - Has your organization applied for or received any energy-related grants in the past three years (e.g. PA Grid Resilience Grant, USDA REAP, IRA programs)?
12.Section 3: Prior Program Participation - If you answered yes to the prior question, please briefly describe the grant(s) and its status.
13.Section 4: Energy Goals and Project Priorities - What are your primary goals for the CED program? Check all that apply.
14.Section 4: Energy Goals and Project Priorities - Do you Have a specific project or site in mind? If so, please describe it briefly.
15.Section 5: Current Energy Situation - Who supplies electricity to your municipal facilities?
16.Section 5: Current Energy Situation - Approximately how much does your organization spend annually on energy (electricity and/or natural gas) for municipal operations?
17.Section 5: Current Energy Situation - Does your organization currently participate in any energy purchasing cooperative or aggregation program?
18.Section 6: Community Energy Efforts Already Underway - Are any of the following community energy efforts underway or recently completed in your community? Check all that apply.
19.Section 6: Community Energy Efforts Already Underway - For any efforts checked above briefly describe the current status, who is leading the effort, and whether it has stalled or is actively moving forward.
20.Section 6: Community Energy Efforts Already Underway - Are there community organizations, non-profits, neighborhood groups, or other local partners already engaged in energy or sustainability work that Protogen should be aware of?
21.Section 7: Equity and Community Context - Does your community include areas designated as Environmental Justice (EJ) or Energy Justice communities under PA DEP?
22.Section 7: Equity and Community Context - Are energy cost burdens for lower-income residents or businesses a significant concern for your community?
23.Section 7: Equity and Community Context - Are energy cost burdens for lower-income residents or businesses a significant concern for your community?
24.Section 7: Equity and Community Context - If energy affordability or equity is a priority, please describe the challenge you are facing.
25.Section 8: Barriers and Readiness - What are the most significant barriers preventing your community from advancing energy projects? Check up to three.
26.Section 8: Barriers and Readiness - How would you characterize your organization's readiness to begin a CED project this year?
27.Section 9: Is there anything else you would like DEP to know about your community's energy situation, goals, or constraints?