About the Energy Project:

Originally the Meadville Community Energy Project, the Commonwealth Community Energy Project is a community initiative formed in 1997 with the Center for Economic and Environmental Development at Allegheny College. The Energy Project was formed to link college faculty, staff, and students with local organizations to address issues of energy efficiency in Meadville. Now, the Energy Project reaches Crawford, Erie, and surrounding counties.

The project grew out of a series of Allegheny college "junior seminars" led by Mike Maniates. In these seminars, students investigated the role of energy consumption in the local economy.

Drawing upon myriad data sources, Allegheny students determined that:
Meadville's annual energy bill approaches $30 million.
Local per capita income is just below $11,000.
Per capita energy expense is approximately $2,000 per year. Energy costs consequently account for nearly 20% of the personal income.

Cutting energy expenditures in Meadville by only 10% could save the community $3 million annually, which would fuel $6 to $9 million annually in increased growth in the local economy.

The Energy Project was then founded with a mission to reduce Meadville's energy consumption, in order to stimulate the local economy, improve social equity, and benefit the environment. The Energy Project's director is Kathleen Greely (who served as an energy analyst at both the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).

In 2006, the Energy Project became the Commonwealth Community Energy Project, expanding into Crawford, Erie, and surrounding counties. The Energy Project is now affiliated with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a non-profit environmental organziation that will help CCEP work throughout the commonwealth.

CCEP Project Map

Click here for a map of CCEP's regional Projects.
- PDF file
- GIF image

HELP: Home Energy Loan Program

Supporters

Richard King Mellon Foundation	Vestar
Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund	Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Howard Heinz Endowment