Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program

The Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) offers low-interest loans to help small businesses (100 full-time employees or less) located within the state implement energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects. Loans may be issued for 75% of project costs up to $100,000 within any 12-month period, with terms of up to 10 years. The program is only available to qualifying businesses that adopt or install pollution prevention or energy efficient equipment or processes that reduce or reuse raw materials on-site, reduce the production of waste, or significantly reduce energy consumption and are directly related to the business activity. Renewable energy systems are eligible for loans under this program if they meet the project eligibility criteria. A list of potentially eligible projects is provided in the program guidelines. The program is administered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. In order to qualify, the project must have a payback that is less than or equal to the loan term, and the expected benefits must extend past the term of the loan. Applications are available at the program web site above. The program is also now a part of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (see full program guidelines ).