• 5 MIN READ

RISE and shine, industrial innovation in Pennsylvania

The great American gateway state announces historic investments in industrial innovation efforts through the RISE PA program.

For well over two centuries, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been an industrial leader in the United States. As the birthplace of the modern oil and gas industry, and once the global hub of iron and steel production, the state has long served as a pioneer for manufacturing innovation. 

In 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program to help states implement innovative methods to reduce emissions. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) worked diligently to craft a proposal to launch an incentive-based initiative to spur innovation, reduce costs, and improve air and water quality.

In 2025, after securing an historic nearly $400 million award from the EPA, Pennsylvania launched the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) grant program. More than 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in Pennsylvania are derived from industry. By targeting the state’s largest-emitting sector, RISE PA aims to help “small-, medium-, and large-scale industrial facilities to reduce GHGs and co-pollutants.” 

In April 2026, RISE PA announced its first Medium- and Large- Award Track grant recipients, providing 31 awardees across the commonwealth with critical funding. In total, more than $267 million in grants will support projects expected to “reduce more than 1.3 million metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent within their first year of implementation.” This annual reduction is equivalent to removing more than 300,000 vehicles from Pennsylvania roads.

During an event announcing the grant awards, Governor Josh Shapiro said the RISE PA program “is helping Pennsylvania businesses lower their energy bills, create jobs, and reduce harmful air pollution”.

According to the RISE PA Grant Awardees Dashboard, approximately $125 million is helping to fund four key electrification projects in the eastern portion of the state. 

Thirteen additional, separate projects across the state will focus on expanding on-site renewable energy generation, including more than $2 million to both Eurova Atlantic Coast, LLC and Furmano Foods, inc. Combined, these two projects alone will reduce an estimated 10,000 MT of carbon dioxide from the air each year.

RISE PA also announced a $6.7 million investment to help Castle Builders Supply in the far western part of the state install carbon capture and storage to reduce their overall emissions. The project will eliminate more than 500 MT of CO2  annually – roughly the same amount emitted from powering 50 average American homes. 

The projects with the largest share of emissions reductions funded by RISE PA are found in the far southwestern portion of the state. A combined $35 million was awarded to support coal mine methane capture at CNX Green Ventures and Iron Senergy Holding, LLC. Together, these efforts will lead to a combined reduction of more than one million MT of carbon a year – equivalent to more than the CO2 emitted from burning more than two million barrels of oil.

The online project dashboard provides a breakdown of all projects, their award amounts, and their projected CO2 emissions reductions in the first year.

The RISE PA team recently opened a second round of applications for medium- and large-award track projects from May 15th through June 15th, 2026. 

These project funding announcements come on the heels of RISE PA’s announcement of more than $5 million in total funding to support small-award track projects at 14 companies across the Commonwealth. 

RISE PA’s program demonstrates what is possible when states and industry are equipped to invest in pragmatic, forward-looking solutions aimed at strengthening economic opportunity, environmental performance, and public health. The projects implemented with the support of this program are designed not only to reduce emissions, but to create and project jobs, increase the overall competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s industrial sector on a global stage, and improve air and water quality for millions who call the Commonwealth home.

With RISE PA, Pennsylvania is once again striving to lead as a pioneer and demonstrate how we can modernize American industry. 

To learn more about RISE PA, visit the program’s official website.

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Labor Engagement Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Alejandro comes to GPI from Labor Union SEIU-United Service Workers West. He represented union workers from downtown Los Angeles and LA’s westside corridor of Century City, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Alejandro enforced various collective bargaining agreements for union workers, ensuring annual wage increases, health insurance, and other benefits and protections. In addition, he worked with union leaders and outside stakeholders, such as community partners, public agencies, politicians, and industry experts, to develop and execute union campaigns. Alejandro was also part of the Los Angeles-Justice for Janitors 2021 union contract campaign—he helped execute and coordinate large-scale actions across LA’s metropolitan area. Previously, he served as the Nevada state canvassing director at For Our Future Action Fund. He holds a BA in international studies and Italian from the University of Kansas.

Senior Program Coordinator for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the operations coordinator for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, particularly in grant-making and event planning. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in environmental studies. Prior to joining GPI, she supported programs at the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa as their member experience administrator.

Industry Program Coordinator, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Senior Advisor of Industrial Innovation, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Vice President of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the Vice President of the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management program at the Great Plains Institute. The Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, works with diverse stakeholders and communities across the country to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. We strive to combine our unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge and analysis, and local action to promote solutions that strengthen communities, shore up the nation’s industrial base, and enhance domestic energy independence, all while eliminating carbon emissions. Patrice oversees several initiatives, including the Carbon Capture Coalition, Industrial Innovation Initiative, Carbon Action Alliance, and the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative.

Senior Content Specialist for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior Content Specialist, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

Senior Program Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities, as well as a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.