New Initiatives to Bolster Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing and Environmental Efforts
Johnstown, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro, alongside Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley, made a significant announcement today at Gautier Steel Holdings. Joined by local officials, labor representatives, and environmental leaders, they revealed a new investment of over $267 million dedicated to enhancing 31 manufacturing projects throughout Pennsylvania. The initiative aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy expenses, and bolster the state’s industrial sector.
The projects are expected to deliver annual energy savings exceeding $3.1 million for businesses in Pennsylvania. Additionally, they aim to cut more than 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in the first year, which is comparable to taking 320,614 cars off the road, eliminating emissions from over 154 million gallons of gasoline, or recycling over 116 million trash bags.
“As energy costs continue to rise as a result of economic chaos across the country and around the world, my Administration is helping Pennsylvania businesses lower their energy bills, create jobs, and reduce harmful air pollution,” stated Governor Shapiro. “Across the Commonwealth, I’ve heard from business owners who have told me that lowering emissions strengthens their operations, supports their workers and communities, and helps their bottom line — and my Administration is delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to support their efforts to invest in their operations. With these new RISE PA grants, businesses will be able to operate more efficiently, create more clean energy jobs, and strengthen our economy.”
The funding is part of the Medium-scale Award Track (MAT) and Large-scale Award Track (LAT) under the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) initiative.
In a notable move in July 2024, the Governor announced the acquisition of $396 million, marking the second-largest federal grant in the state’s history, aimed at RISE PA projects to support emission reductions, job creation, and economic growth.
“RISE PA helps manufacturers and industry save money and grow their businesses in the Commonwealth, while doing it in a responsible, innovative, environmentally friendly way that reduces air pollution for communities across Pennsylvania,” highlighted DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These projects will result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions while positioning Pennsylvania as a national climate leader and increasing our manufacturing competitiveness.”
The announcement took place at the historic Gautier Steel Holdings, established in 1852, which operates a bar and a plate mill in Johnstown. Gautier Steel received $1,886,529 in MAT grant funding to enhance furnace efficiency, projected to cut 7,800 metric tons of CO2 equivalents in the first year alone.
“This project will drive a vital investment in innovative technology that will modernize the reheat furnace that is at the forefront of our 14 inch bar mills production line while significantly reducing the carbon emissions generated by our facility,” remarked Dale Gray, President & CEO of Gautier Steel Holdings Inc.
Gautier employs 100 individuals, including 75 steelworkers from United Steelworkers Local 2632, and 25 administrative staff members.
“Governor Shapiro, thank you for your leadership and your relentless commitment to getting things done for Pennsylvania, and to Gautier Steel for having us here today — including CEO Dale Gray and COO Ken Smith for the strong, ongoing relationship you’ve built with the workforce and our union. That kind of partnership matters,” praised Bernie Hall, District 10 Director, United Steel Workers. “The Governor has been clear from the start — this is about growing jobs, lowering costs, and making Pennsylvania a leader again in manufacturing.”
“Here in Johnstown, manufacturing isn’t just part of our history, it’s a part of our future, and companies like Gautier Steel have been investing in this community for generations, supporting good paying jobs and helping to drive our local economy forward. That’s why today’s investment through the RISE PA program is so important,” stated Johnstown Mayor Reverend Sylvia King. “This funding is exactly the kind of approach we need — growing our economy while being responsible stewards of the environment. I want to thank Governor Shapiro and his team for recognizing the importance of communities like Johnstown.”
The RISE PA program, a $396 million statewide decarbonization effort, is funded through the U.S. EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, offering support for diverse energy-efficient projects. The initial round of SAT awards was disclosed on April 1, 2026, with further rounds anticipated until 2028.
“RISE PA puts Pennsylvania at the forefront of industrial innovation, offering a national model for how emissions reductions can support economic competitiveness and deliver benefits for communities,” expressed John Walliser, Senior VP of Legal & Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Environmental Council. “Our state is known the world over for its industrial heritage, and today we have reason to be even prouder about our stronger and cleaner industrial future.”
Eligible projects target emissions from fuel combustion, equipment leaks, or industrial chemical reactions, which contribute to over 30% of Pennsylvania’s GHG emissions. Solutions include electrification, efficiency upgrades, low-carbon fuel transitions, on-site renewables, carbon capture, and emission reduction technologies for natural gas, oil, and coal.
“American steel is the best in the world and it’s made here in Cambria County by the hardest-working union steelworkers anywhere,” emphasized Representative Frank Burns, PA’s 72nd House District. “As someone that has championed American Made steel initiatives, I was proud to support Governor Shapiro and the Trump administration to bring this grant funding home to make sure our steel mills are on the cutting edge of technology so we can create jobs, support local manufacturing like Gautier Steel, and grow our economy.”
Governor Shapiro has consistently prioritized environmental health and energy cost reductions for Pennsylvanians. His administration has advocated for energy affordability, as highlighted in his 2026-27 budget address, focusing on cost reduction, fair utility practices, and ratepayer protection.
Through initiatives like the Lightning Plan and PA Permit Fast Track Program, the administration is streamlining permitting, expediting energy development, and enhancing Pennsylvania’s status as a leading energy producer, while maintaining cost efficiency. These efforts are projected to save money, generate jobs, and attract substantial energy investments.
Moreover, the administration is committing historic investments to environmental protection and infrastructure, having invested over $3.5 billion in clean water projects via PENNVEST, including replacing lead service lines and upgrading wastewater systems. An additional $100 million in state funds is designated for waterway cleanup, alongside $244 million in annual federal funds for mine reclamation and community protection in Pennsylvania.
The administration has also accessed over $175 million in federal funds to address legacy environmental issues by plugging more than 350 orphaned oil and gas wells, with state funds exceeding $29 million to continue this critical work and mitigate methane emissions contributing to climate change.
The current funding announcement totals $267,825,172, leaving $52 million available for future MAT and LAT grant applications, set to open on May 15, 2026. For further details, visit the DEP website: Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania.
Businesses Awarded RISE PA LAT Grants
Montgomery County
PECO Energy Company, $52,479,494: Replace a combustion turbine with an electrified compressor turbine at the natural gas transmission and distribution facility.
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, $31,270,000: Install a geothermal heating and cooling system and an electrified chiller at the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
Lancaster County
Alouette Cheese USA, LLC, $44,989,040: Implement energy efficiency measures, install an anaerobic digester and wastewater treatment plant, implement truck refrigeration unit electrification, and fuel switching at the food manufacturing facility.
Businesses Awarded RISE PA MAT Grants
Adams County
G&S Foods LLC, $3,439,442: Install a 4.07 MW solar system with 1.93 MW of battery storage at its food manufacturing facility.
Allegheny County
Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC, $2,371,030: Install a 0.44 MW solar system with 0.2 MW of battery storage, HVAC replacement, and equipment electrification at the Northeast Paving asphalt plant.
Blair County
NPC, Inc., $1,915,960: Install a 1.9 MW solar system, replace the facility’s HVAC and implement energy efficiency retrofits throughout the paper print manufacturing facility.
Bradford County
Global Tungsten & Powders LLC, $4,654,880: Install a Mechanical Vapor Recompression Crystallizer that will increase the energy efficiency of the Tungsten manufacturing facility.
Cambria County
Quaker Sales Corporation, $5,253,383: Replace its asphalt plant equipment for increased energy efficiency.
Gautier Steel Holdings Inc, $1,886,529: Upgrade the steel plant’s furnace and increase the plant’s energy efficiency.
Chester County
Kaolin RE Holdings Corporation, $4,185,729: Install a 3.8 MW solar system at the agricultural facility, South Mill Champs Mushroom Farm.
Walmoore Holsteins Inc, $4,064,534: Install an anaerobic digester and combined heat and power system to generate power for the agricultural facility.
Columbia County
Sekisui Polymer Innovations LLC, $2,106,075: Install a 3.28 MW solar system with battery storage at its thermoplastics sheet metal facility.
Cumberland County
Nestle Purina Petcare Co, $4,780,860: Install advanced dryer control upgrades and a dryer heat recovery system at its pet food manufacturing facility.
Dauphin County
Jubilee Dairy LLC, $971,006: Install an anaerobic digester with a 0.2 MW combined heat and power system at its dairy farm.
Greene County
CNX Green Ventures LLC, $31,512,922: Install gob ventilation boreholes for the capture of coal mine methane at the Enlow Fork coal mine. The project will use a pipeline system to safely capture and transport the methane for offsite processing.
Iron Senergy Holding LLC, $4,804,448: Install a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer to capture coal mine methane.
Lancaster County
High Concrete Group LLC, $2,516,456: Install a 1.9 MW solar system at its concrete manufacturing facility.
Lawrence County
Castle Builders Supply, LLC, $6,785,000: Replace the concrete manufacturing facility with more efficient equipment and implement carbon capture technology in the manufacturing process.
Lehigh County
Nestle Purina Petcare Co, $26,370,289: Install an anaerobic digester and heat recovery system to generate clean power at its pet food manufacturing facility.
Lycoming County
Wheeland Lumber Company, Inc., $3,769,057: Install a biomass steam boiler and combined heat and power system that will generate 0.275 MW of power at its lumber facility.
Muncy Homes, Inc., $564,108: Install a 0.74 MW solar system and LED lighting retrofits at its modular housing unit manufacturing facility.
Monroe County
Sanofi Pasteur Inc, $10,646,316: Replace the egg waste processing system for greater energy efficiency and reduced industrial process emissions at the vaccine manufacturing facility.
Northumberland County
Furman Foods Inc Dba Furmano Foods, $2,628,919: Install a 1,267-kW solar system and implement energy efficiency upgrades at its food manufacturing facility.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Gas Works, $1,174,603: Implement a valve modernization project that will significantly reduce the natural gas facility’s methane emissions.
Schuylkill County
Keystone Potato Products LLC, $784,350: Install an anaerobic digester with a combined heat and power system to generate clean power at its food manufacturing facility.
MBA Building Supplies NE Inc, $580,536: Install a solar system, electrified forklift, and lighting retrofit at the steel framing product manufacturing facility.
Snyder County
Jason Sheaffer Dba A&L Wood Inc, $1,203,325: Install a 1.6 MW ground-mounted solar PV system at A&L Wood’s facility, to reduce its Scope 2 emissions.
Westmoreland County
Elliott Company, $1,996,800: Replacement of a test gas with a lower-emitting gas to be utilized in compressor performance testing at the compressor manufacturing facility.
Cordia, LLC, $897,250: Install a combined heat and power system and a heat recovery steam generator to generate power for the ATI Steel Mill.
Wyoming County
Kanin Energy, Inc., $1,451,605: Install a 3 MW waste heat-to-power system at the Wilcox Natural Gas Compressor Station facility.
York County
Anax Holdings LLC, $5,771,226: Install four 500-kW turboexpander units that will generate 2 MW of power at the Texas Eastern Transmission station.
To learn more about RISE PA’s grant program, please visit the DEP website.
Original Story at www.pa.gov