The 901 Municipal Waste Planning Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This grant program is intended to support counties throughout Pennsylvania in the development and revision of municipal waste management plans. The primary goal of the funding is to assist counties in assessing, planning, and enhancing systems for waste processing, disposal, or composting—excluding combustion-based methods that do not prioritize energy recovery.
The grant covers a wide range of activities related to municipal waste planning. These include the preparation of municipal waste management plans and associated tasks such as studies, surveys, research, feasibility assessments, siting inquiries, environmental mediation, and project development. However, facilities proposed for combustion of municipal waste without energy recovery are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Counties may be reimbursed for up to 80% of approved project costs, with a cap of $75,000 per calendar year.
To apply, counties must first meet with their DEP Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator. This pre-application meeting is required and is designed to ensure applicants understand program expectations and are eligible for support. After the meeting, applicants receive a code to use when submitting their application through the Environmental eGrants System (ESA). Applications are reviewed by program staff, and successful applicants enter into a formal grant agreement with DEP.
The grant operates on a rolling basis, allowing counties to apply at any point between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. As it is not part of a scheduled grant cycle, there are no intermediate deadlines such as letters of intent or pre-proposal due dates. The program does not list a total program funding amount but does require a 20% matching contribution from applicants.
The eligibility is exclusive to Pennsylvania counties. The DEP stipulates that applications will not be considered without prior consultation with regional coordinators, ensuring applicants align with project expectations. Reporting requirements for successful grantees include submitting both progress and final reports, along with documentation for reimbursements.
For assistance, applicants can contact Janet Heindel via email at jaheindel@pa.gov. This grant represents an opportunity for counties to systematically plan for sustainable waste management in line with state goals, offering significant reimbursement support for qualified projects.
