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Deluzio Announces $200,000 Investment for Beaver County Solar Power Project

Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that the Beaver County “Rural Innovation Though Solar Empowerment” Project, or RISE Project, is a winner of the Department of Energy’s Phase Two $200,000 Energizing Rural Communities Prize.

Featured

Community Matters: Re-creating local community in a season of national upheaval
SEP 09, 2025

Community Matters: Re-creating local community in a season of national upheaval

Perhaps more than ever, we must grasp afresh the opportunities in front of us, lock arms with those around us, and push our communities forward with every bit of strength we can muster. We must, together, snatch order and purpose out of the jaws of division and chaos. We must discipline ourselves and encourage others to practice service, honor, civil discourse, and honest reflection about what we want for ourselves, our children, and the future of our communities.

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
Community Matters: Humanity desperately needs a different story
OCT 08, 2025

Community Matters: Humanity desperately needs a different story

As I reflect on both my own community and the broader American experience at present, I — like so many others — am concerned that we are currently swimming in a sea of stories that makes it impossible for us to thrive

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
New Incubator Launches Environmental Justice Projects
SEP 18, 2024

New Incubator Launches Environmental Justice Projects

Pittsburgh is home to a vibrant community of people working to improve our environment and the spaces where we live. A new initiative is helping transform their visions into reality.

Next PittsburghRead
Community Matters: Energy innovation as tool for growing agency over Beaver County
SEP 27, 2024

Community Matters: Energy innovation as tool for growing agency over Beaver County

Those of you who follow along with the work of RiverWise, the nonprofit organization I have the privilege of leading, may have heard that we recently received a second round of funding from the US Department of Energy.

Beaver County TimesRead
The start of spring at Highland Homestead
MAR 25, 2026

The start of spring at Highland Homestead

Patricia "Trish" Noss and her husband Bud operate Highland Homestead, a beef cattle and grain farm in Hanover Township. Learn more about Trish and how she prepares for the growing season.

Dani BrownRead
A Guide to Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania
AUG 27, 2024

A Guide to Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania

This document reflects over a year of dedicated community work by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services and RiverWise, with support from New Sun Rising. It explores the implications of Executive Order 14008 and the Justice 40 Initiative, highlighting their transformative potential for disadvantaged communities. The guide emphasizes the need for genuine community engagement and cautions against oversimplified solutions, recognizing the inherent complexity of effective community benefits planning. Key principles include balancing urgency with care, understanding the limits of community benefits plans, and acknowledging potential unintended consequences. The document aims to provide actionable insights for stakeholders, inviting corporate and governmental entities to understand and respond to community perspectives.

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
Human City: A one-year walk alongside my neighbors
JAN 14, 2026

Human City: A one-year walk alongside my neighbors

Christopher Padgett reflects on his past year of storytelling as a community filmmaker in Beaver County.

Christopher PadgettRead
Meeting the moment: Federal funds foster solar adoption in Beaver County
NOV 18, 2024

Meeting the moment: Federal funds foster solar adoption in Beaver County

Through The RISE Project, which leverages federal funds to enhance solar adoption, several projects in Beaver County are saving money by adding solar.

Chrissy SuttlesRead
Community Matters: Identity, imagination and energy innovation
NOV 04, 2025

Community Matters: Identity, imagination and energy innovation

This month's Community Matters is a transcript from a talk delivered by Daniel Rossi-Keen at the national convening of the Just Transition Fund. The piece reflects on growing up in an energy community shaped Rossi-Keen's future in ways he never anticipated.

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
Community Matters: Shell amplifies misleading claims about Beaver County population growth
SEP 27, 2025

Community Matters: Shell amplifies misleading claims about Beaver County population growth

The Shell ethane cracker plant recently amplified a report that contains misleading claims about Beaver County's population growth.

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
Democratizing solar energy in Pennsylvania
MAY 19, 2024

Democratizing solar energy in Pennsylvania

There’s a movement happening across the state to expand community solar. Supporters say it will allow for a reduction in electricity bills, lower maintenance costs, diversify a community’s energy portfolio, and create a more resilient region.

Chrissy SuttlesRead
Planned food hub gets grant funding
NOV 30, 2023

Planned food hub gets grant funding

Nonprofit RiverWise received a $49,000 state grant to move forward with the planning and design of a community food hub in Beaver County. The funding, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill's Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program, is centered on expanding the supply of fresh food in underserved areas.

Beaver County TimesRead
$5M in environmental project funding up for grabs in Beaver County
JAN 05, 2024

$5M in environmental project funding up for grabs in Beaver County

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — Millions of dollars earmarked for environmental projects in Beaver County are up for grabs. The money comes from part of a settlement with Shell over violations from its Monaca Cracker Plant. The $5 million fund is one of the biggest of its kind in state history, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

WPXI NewsRead
East Palestine train derailment topic of screening & discussion in Beaver Falls
APR 01, 2024

East Palestine train derailment topic of screening & discussion in Beaver Falls

BEAVER FALLS — The East Palestine train derailment and its aftermath will be analyzed April 13 at a special event at The Baby Bello community center in Beaver Falls.

Beaver County TimesRead

Articles

Community Matters: We were made for this, Beaver County

Community Matters: We were made for this, Beaver County

This month’s installment of Community Matters was originally written nearly six years ago on March 19, 2020. On that day, all of Pennsylvania’s non-essential businesses were forced to close because of the growing threat of COVID-19.

Daniel Rossi-KeenRead
Deluzio Announces $200,000 Investment for Beaver County Solar Power Project

Deluzio Announces $200,000 Investment for Beaver County Solar Power Project

Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced that the Beaver County “Rural Innovation Though Solar Empowerment” Project, or RISE Project, is a winner of the Department of Energy’s Phase Two $200,000 Energizing Rural Communities Prize.

Chris DeluzioRead
RiverWise receives more federal funding to support solar power in Beaver County

RiverWise receives more federal funding to support solar power in Beaver County

Some of Beaver County's rural communities may soon see the effects of solar power investments in their area.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: A code of ethics for community benefits processes

Community Matters: A code of ethics for community benefits processes

In my last column, I introduced readers to a recently released document produced by me and a handful of other regional leaders titled “A Guide to Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: Announcing 'A Guide to Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania'

Community Matters: Announcing 'A Guide to Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania'

Whether readers of this column realize it or not, humanity is currently engaged in a global transformation related to the production and consumption of energy. And, that transition could – if properly understood and wisely leveraged – have significant implications for life here in Beaver County.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: The value of taking a break

Community Matters: The value of taking a break

Hello again, friends! If you have been a diligent reader of this column over the years, you may have noticed I have not produced a new article in some time now. After nearly four years of writing two columns a month, and in the face of an unusually busy season at RiverWise, I decided to take a break from writing over the last 10 weeks.

Beaver County TimesRead
Building resilience in Beaver County

Building resilience in Beaver County

The Keystone State has the largest inventory of abandoned coal mines in the nation, and more than 7,000 streams statewide are affected by acid mine drainage from these former mining sites. Cleaning up toxic brownfields for solar development could be a “win-win,” speakers said in June at a Greene Township solar facility.

Chrissy SuttlesRead
Community Matters: Why RiverWise did not pursue Shell mitigation funds

Community Matters: Why RiverWise did not pursue Shell mitigation funds

On May 15, nearly $5 million in awards were announced to various Beaver County community projects as the result of an environmental mitigation fund established to hold Shell accountable for ongoing environmental violations at their facility in Monaca.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: Why RiverWise is paying high school students to learn about county

Community Matters: Why RiverWise is paying high school students to learn about county

During six weeks in July and August, Beaver County high school students will have the opportunity to earn a $250 stipend for completing this year’s Summer Sustainability Institute.

Beaver County TimesRead
Regional leaders, residents receive support to access environmental justice funding

Regional leaders, residents receive support to access environmental justice funding

The Millvale Food Energy Hub was a conduit for Allegheny County residents and local leaders seeking support for their community projects on May 2, preparing them to access federal funding through the Justice 40 Initiative.

TRIB liveRead
Community Matters: Five provocative questions about community

Community Matters: Five provocative questions about community

This past Thursday, I turned 47. When I was in high school, I can remember having a teacher who was turning 50 years old. Nearly 30 years later, I recall how old that felt to me at the time. Fifty! Half a century! I can still remember wondering what it could possibly feel like to be that old.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: An invitation to learn from East Palestine

Community Matters: An invitation to learn from East Palestine

In the course of history, some things happen that are nearly impossible to explain in fullness. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

Beaver County TimesRead
Beaver County Farmers Markets return: Here's what's new and who's returning

Beaver County Farmers Markets return: Here's what's new and who's returning

Fresh-picked and succulent fruits, nutritious vegetables, artisan baked breads, homemade honey and other edible treats await as the Beaver County Farmers Markets return for the season, starting April 27.

Beaver County TimesRead
RiverWise, New Sun Rising to host workshop addressing Justice 40 Initiative opportunities

RiverWise, New Sun Rising to host workshop addressing Justice 40 Initiative opportunities

BEAVER FALLS ― Community members and local leaders are being invited to attend a workshop focused on developing environmental justice projects in the region.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: The value of community wondering

Community Matters: The value of community wondering

Every once in a while, I am confronted with the potent combination of wisdom and clarity, reacquainting me with things I once knew, but that I now generally permit myself to forget.

Beaver County TimesRead
Community Matters: Who makes community thriving possible?

Community Matters: Who makes community thriving possible?

Healthy communities do not happen accidentally. They are cultivated, resourced, strategized, and even pruned from time to time.

Beaver County TimesRead