Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program
Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program supports Pennsylvania local governments with audits, design, and retrofit financing to cut energy bills and emissions.
This grant was recently updated
For applicants pairing the grant with a MORE Loan, the minimum loan amount increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Repayment terms are now stated as up to seven years, with the previous “or the end of a project’s useful life” wording removed.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Due Dates: October 25, 2024 (Initial grant deadline) | December 6, 2024 (Grants closed) | May 31, 2027 (Discretionary Fund, or until exhausted) | Rolling (Loans, while funds remain)
Funding Amounts: Grants up to $50,000; loans from $10,000; interest rate buydowns as low as 0%
Summary: MORE supports Pennsylvania municipal energy audits, project design, and financing for energy efficiency retrofits and paired renewable energy projects.
Key Information: Eligible applicants are Pennsylvania local governments not eligible for direct DOE EECBG awards.
Description
The Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency (MORE) Program helps Pennsylvania local governments modernize aging municipal buildings and facilities without straining their budgets. The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) operates the program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, with lending administered by the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF). Its goals include reducing municipal energy bills, easing demand on Pennsylvania’s electrical grid, and supporting emissions reductions.
MORE combines grants for project preparation and interest rate buydowns with loans for energy efficiency upgrades, building retrofits, and on-site renewable energy generation paired with efficiency measures. The original grant round has closed. A complementary Discretionary Fund supports interest rate buydowns on MORE Loans, including for eligible municipalities that did not receive a MORE Grant.
