West Penn Energy Fund

05/26/2026

Some of the biggest energy savings in a building come from the parts you never see.

ClearWater Conservancy’s new Hamer Community Conservation Center is being designed with a high-performance building envelope to help reduce energy use, improve comfort, & create a more durable space for the future.

In real life, that means:
❄️ Less heat escaping in the winter
☀️ Less unwanted heat in the summer
💡 Lower energy use every day of the year

West Penn Energy Fund is proud to support projects like this one because sustainable energy can look like thoughtful design, better buildings, & spaces built to serve communities for generations.

05/24/2026

💡 Looking for a summer experience that builds skills AND a future for the teenager in your life?

Teen Conservation Camp: A Great Career Pathway for Young People. This summer, your teen has the unique opportunity to swap screen time for a truly impactful, hands-on experience in Pennsylvania’s great outdoors.

The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR), along with partners CCOYA and Penn State Extension 4-H, are accepting registrations for the 2026 Teen Conservation Camp! Made possible by the West Penn Energy Fund, this is a premiere opportunity for students aged 15 - 17 to explore a meaningful career path in conservation, forestry, recreation, and the forest products industry.

What will they gain?

Hands-on exploration of forest ecosystems.
Outdoor skills training (navigation, stewardship).
Mentorship from industry professionals and potential future employers.
Confidence and leadership skills to make them ready for training and careers.
A head start on careers supporting Pennsylvania's rural communities and economy.
Limited to just 15 students! We recommend registering before June 1st to secure a spot in this intimate, small-group learning environment.

Help your teen take the first step toward becoming a leader and resource steward in PA's vibrant lumber heritage!

👇 Learn more & register now at: https://lumberheritage.org/grants-projects/classes-learning-opportunities/lhr-teen-conservation-camp-2026/

05/22/2026

Not every investment looks like a building project.

Sometimes it looks like local youth exploring Pennsylvania’s forests to learn about conservation, sustainability, wildlife, & the industries connected to them. 🌲

West Penn Energy Fund is proud to provide funding support for the 2026 Teen Conservation Camp through a partnership with the Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Creating a more sustainable future also means helping the next generation understand it.

05/20/2026

What if the infrastructure communities already rely on every day… could generate power too? 💧⚡️

Yesterday we got a behind-the-scenes look at the hydro turbine being prepared for installation at the St. Marys Area Water Authority.

Because the facility operates entirely on electricity, this project will help generate renewable energy from water already moving through the existing system.

Sometimes innovation isn’t about building something entirely new — it’s about rethinking the systems already in place.

05/08/2026

On the Road with the West Penn Energy Fund 🛣️

Woods ➡️ Rooftops ➡️ Municipal Buildings ➡️ Historic Bank Buildings ➡️ All the way to the top of a Clock Tower overlooking Redbank Valley.

We had a beautiful day with some of our projects.

✔️ Pine Valley Camp — where project progress is moving and the new solar array is starting to take shape.

✔️ East Franklin Township — where completed upgrades are officially up and running with the township building producing more energy than it’s using.

✔️ Redbank Valley Historical Society — where a historic 1929 bank building is preparing for kitchen and energy efficiency upgrades to better support veteran programs and community events.

We love that no two projects ever look the same.

One stop is a youth camp.
One is a township building.
One is a nearly 100-year-old former bank still serving its community.

Different places. Different projects. Same goal:
Helping communities invest in infrastructure ensuring spaces are built to last.

04/28/2026

Keep it open.
Keep it useful.
Keep it going.

That’s what this project in Kane is doing.

Old churches were built to be gathering places - not just preserved, but used.

With support from West Penn Energy Fund, the Presbyterian Church is making targeted upgrades:
✔️ LED lighting in the lower level and parking lot
✔️ Safer access & better visibility at night
✔️ Kitchen improvements supporting increased activities

Energy upgrades that:
✔️ Lower costs
✔️ Improve safety
✔️ Expand how the space gets used

Still a place to gather — just built to work better today.

04/22/2026

04/20/2026

🚗 On the Road with West Penn Energy Fund 🛣️

Emporium → Turtlepoint → Port Allegany

The day started with coffee from Aroma Cafe☕ & a check-in with the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center.

From there, we hit the road to hear what’s ahead:
✔️ Main Street plans taking shape
✔️ A new home for the Historical Society
✔️ Continued investment in Heritage Hall

Lunch at Eddies on main 🍽️

We wrapped up with a tour of Lynn Hall PA - proof that historic spaces aren’t behind us… But rather a huge part of what’s next.

This is the work.
And it’s moving.

04/15/2026

Talking about community investment…
while sitting inside one. 👀💡

We had the opportunity to speak at the Kane Rotary meeting today where we shared some ongoing work of West Penn Energy Fund & provided an update on the recent launch of Six and Kane’s new “Fraley Suite” short term office space.

The rotary meeting was held in the Kane Presbyterian Church, where we provided funding support for an energy audit & LED lighting upgrades.

04/13/2026

Commercial & Industrial Businesses 🌇

This is your window to take advantage of energy incentives, grants, & financing — before timelines tighten.

Join us at Six and Kane for a focused workshop on what’s available right now and how to actually use it.

📅 April 22 | 9 AM
📍 63 N. Fraley St. Kane, Pa

Register Here ⬇️

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=OZb2icese06sAhTTA8Bx0Prlh1O-nndApKZGJikM9Y9URFZZTjlMSDhBSUlNU0pGREtZRzU2TFdWNiQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl