The Growing Greener Plus Grants Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and supports a range of environmental restoration and protection initiatives throughout the Commonwealth. This competitive grant program integrates several funding opportunities under one umbrella, including Growing Greener Watershed Restoration and Protection, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Bond Forfeiture, and Stormwater Management Planning (Act 167) grants.
The primary objective of the Growing Greener Plus program is to fund projects that improve and protect Pennsylvania’s water resources through watershed restoration and protection, addressing abandoned mine drainage, and improving stormwater management planning. Eligible projects can include design, permitting, and construction activities, and those addressing pollutant load reductions such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment. Special attention is given to projects located in Environmental Justice Areas, which are exempt from the usual match requirement.
To apply, applicants must register through the Electronic Single Application (ESA) system. The application window for the 2025 round opens at 8:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 20, 2025. All applications must be submitted online; paper and faxed copies are not accepted. The application process includes a series of online tabs requiring applicant, project, and budget details, as well as a program-specific addenda upload section. Required documents include a project workplan, task and deliverable budget worksheet, landowner letters, and applicable environmental justice documentation.
Applicants are evaluated on eligibility (including whether they meet specific criteria such as submitting a complete workplan and adhering to budget limitations), environmental impact, alignment with DEP principles, and proper use of prevailing wage standards where applicable. The program encourages competitive bidding for subcontractor services to ensure cost efficiency. Applications must also reflect whether projects intersect with existing state initiatives, such as Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
For technical assistance with the ESA system, applicants can contact the Enterprise eGrants Customer Service Center at 833-448-0647 or by email at egrantshelp@pa.gov, available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. For grant-specific inquiries, the DEP Grants Office can be reached at 717-705-5400 or ra-epgrowinggreener@pa.gov.
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