Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA)

The “Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania” grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act. The funder is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via DEP, reflecting both state‑level oversight and federal support. The program leverages approximately $396 million in total funding to facilitate industrial decarbonization across Pennsylvania. The purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and co‑pollutant emissions from the industrial sector, which accounts for over 30 % of Pennsylvania’s total GHG emissions. The grant’s scope covers small, medium, and large‑scale decarbonization projects at industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants, mining operations, oil & gas systems, and major industrial emitters. Eligible project types include industrial electrification, energy efficiency upgrades, process emission reductions, switching to low‑carbon fuels, on‑site renewable generation, carbon capture and storage, and reduction of fugitive emissions. The program emphasises both environmental benefits (emission reductions, air quality improvement) and economic benefits (job creation, enhanced competitiveness of Pennsylvania manufacturing). Spending rules specify that projects must reduce industrial sector emissions and must meet certain cost or size thresholds depending on the award track. For example, the Small‑scale Award Track (SAT) is administered by PennTAP, targeting small and mid‑sized manufacturers (fewer than 500 employees at the facility) with project costs between $50,000 and $1,000,000; base grants cover 50% of total project costs up to a maximum of $500,000 under the SAT. Projects must complete a no‑cost site assessment before applying and must fulfill monitoring, measurement & verification (MMV) requirements, including apprenticeship labour hour requirements (minimum 15% of the construction labour hours must be performed by qualified apprentices). Eligibility criteria focus primarily on industrial manufacturing facilities within Pennsylvania. Applicants must be manufacturing entities (defined as engaging in mechanical, physical or chemical transformation of materials) at sites located in Pennsylvania; third‑party service providers (Energy‑as‑a‑Service or Sustainability‑as‑a‑Service) are not permitted to apply on behalf of a facility under the SAT track as of September 2025. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) per 2 CFR Part 25 and the subrecipients must maintain registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). The program is not applicable to state or local governments seeking grants for public‑sector projects, rather it targets private industrial facilities (including property managers applying on behalf of eligible manufacturing facilities). The submission process varies by award track. For the Small‑scale Award Track, applicants must complete a no‑cost assessment, submit a technical assessment report, budget form, itemised quotes, equipment specification sheets, 12 consecutive months of utility bills, and a simplified GHG emissions calculator for baseline and proposed reductions. The application window for the current round is open until December 15 (for SAT) and multiple rounds are expected annually through 2029. Evaluation considers project readiness, emissions reduction potential, cost effectiveness, technical merit, scalability, and alignment with workforce/apprenticeship standards. Evaluation of applications will involve DEP and PennTAP for the respective tracks, awarding grants on a cost‑reimbursement model (subaward agreements, cost reimbursable). For medium and large‑scale awards, additional criteria include achievement of at least 20% GHG reduction at each selected facility and leveraging of private capital. The award agreements contain flow‑down federal terms (from the EPA) and state terms. The timeline runs between 2025 and 2029 (for the SAT funds) with three application cycles per year expected; other tracks may have closed some windows already (e.g., Medium and Large Award Tracks deadline September 5, 2025). The next application window for SAT expects three cycles per year until 2029. Contact information is available via the PennTAP RISE PA team. The grant is open to US‑based applicants (specifically Pennsylvania industrial facilities). Matching requirement: the grant covers 50% of eligible project costs under the SAT track, but overall matching/co‑funding may differ for other tracks. The opportunity status is “Open for applications” for the SAT track, while medium/large tracks may currently be closed or in subsequent rounds. The opportunity stage is “Competitive Grant”. The deadline for the current SAT round is December 15, 2025; subsequent rounds expected.

Ensure your technical assessment is completed early; MMV narrative must include clear roles and be signed by senior leadership; confirm apprenticeship hour requirements are met.