11 Projects Will Cut Energy Bills by $3.1 Million Annually

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New investments in alternative and clean forms of power, as well as energy efficiency, are helping the state's consumers to lower their energy bills by millions of dollars each year, the secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development said today.

"With these new projects, which are large and small, urban and rural, the commonwealth is pushing forward with its efforts to help businesses and residents save money and energy," DCED Secretary George Cornelius said.

On May 11, the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $7.8 million in grants and loans for 11 projects in eight counties that will use energy efficient technologies like LED lighting and alternative forms of power such as geothermal and biomass.

In total, the projects account for a more than $23.8 million investment in the state and, once completed, will save citizens, businesses, local governments and school districts almost $3.1 million on energy costs annually.

The projects approved for funding include (Potential costs savings are estimates as calculated by DCED using standard industry methodology.):

Beaver County

• A $61,539 alternative and clean energy loan to Beaver County to install energy efficient lighting at the courthouse, recreation center, district justice offices and community development offices. The project will reduce energy use by 86 percent, or about 216,253 kilowatt hours per year, generating an estimated $21,625 in savings. The county will provide $61,540 in matching funds.

Berks County

• A $2 million alternative and clean energy program grant to Granger Energy of Morgantown LLC, toward a $5.36 million project to build two landfill-gas-fueled generators that will use excess gas from the landfill and then distribute it to PPL for back-up power within the facility. Granger Electric, the parent company, will provide $3.36 million in matching funds.
• A $138,250 alternative and clean energy loan to Exeter Township for a $276,000 project to install energy efficient LED street lights in 31 residential subdivisions and a corporate center. The township expects an 85 percent reduction in electricity use, which will save about $47,000 and 470,832 kWh per year. The township will provide $138,250 in matching funds.
  A $9,118 renewable energy program loan to Gary and Carmela Deck, of Bethel, for geothermal heating and cooling systems that are anticipated to save $700 and 7,019 kWh of energy each year. The Decks will provide $9,118 in matching funds.  

Bucks County

• A $300,000 renewable energy program loan to OmniWind Energy Systems LLC, Dublin, toward the purchase of equipment to develop and commercialize a new patented wind turbine that makes wind power more affordable and accessible. The company anticipates 15 new full-time jobs during the first year of the program. OmniWind will contribute $600,000 in matching funds.

Cumberland County

• A $5 million alternative and clean energy loan to RED-Carlisle LLC, toward a $14 million building project that will convert waste heat to electricity at the PPG site in South Middleton Township, saving some 30 million kWh annually, or an estimated $3 million per year. The project will capture waste heat from the PPG glass-making process and then use that energy to produce electricity and heat water.

Crawford County  

• A $240,498 alternative clean energy program grant to the Crawford Central School District in Meadville toward a new biomass plant that will reduce natural gas use at the senior/middle school, the career and technical center, and the recreational complex by 80 percent and electricity use by 15 percent. The project cost is $3.01 million, with a $500,000 PA Energy Harvest grant, and $2.27 million from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and Loan Fund matching the school district funding.

Luzerne County

• A $6,899 renewable energy loan to Emil J. and Lisa Kaschak, of Sugarloaf, toward a geothermal heating and cooling system that will replace a 20-year-old system and save $2,500 and 25,204 kWh per year. The Kaschaks will provide $6,900 in matching funds.

Montgomery County

• A $14,749 renewable energy loan to Harold and Maria Ciampoli of Lower Providence Township, toward a geothermal system that will save 28,300 kWh of energy per year, or some $2,800. The Ciampolis will provide $14,749 in matching funds.

Northampton County

• An $87,748 alternative and clean energy loan to Lower Saucon Township to upgrade all township traffic lights and three township buildings with high-efficiency LED lights. The township expects to save $17,900, or 178,956 kWh per year, which is about 25 percent less than current usage.

CFA also approved a $175,000 alternative and clean energy program grant to Accelergy Corp. for a $350,000 feasibility study to determine site selection and plant design of a commercial fuel-conversion facility. The study may lead to an integrated coal-and-biomass-to-liquids facility in Pennsylvania. Matching funds include $50,000 from the A2BE Corp. and $125,000 from Accelergy.

For more information on state investment programs available through the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

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