Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program
Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program supports Pennsylvania small businesses with loans for equipment and process changes that reduce waste, pollution, or energy use.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Loans up to $100,000 per 12-month period, covering up to 75% of eligible costs; fixed 2% interest; maximum 10-year term
Summary: Low-interest loans help Pennsylvania small businesses purchase equipment or change processes to reduce waste, pollution, or energy use.
Key Information: The business and project site must be in Pennsylvania and employ 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Description
The Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program provides low-interest, fixed-rate financing to small businesses undertaking pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. It is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Loans support equipment purchases and process changes that reduce or reuse raw materials on site, reduce waste at its source, or significantly reduce energy consumption.
The program helps businesses comply with environmental regulations while lowering operating costs. Potential projects include efficient lighting, digital x-ray equipment, HVAC upgrades, chillers, motors, and processing or manufacturing equipment. Projects may also reduce chemical or packaging use or introduce closed-loop cooling and process-water systems. DEP and DCED anticipate that savings in raw materials, waste disposal, or energy costs will help businesses repay their loans.
