DCED: Pennsylvania Supports Alternative, Clean and Renewable Energy Projects; Helps Businesses Meet Water Standards

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) will invest in five projects in five counties for the purchase and installation of alternative energy solutions that will reduce costs, recycle waste and help Pennsylvania meet the Chesapeake Bay nutrient requirement.

"Today's investments will help consumers and businesses reduce energy costs and have a positive environmental impact," Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker said.  "In addition to reducing the consumption of electricity from the power grid, these projects will positively impact the communities surrounding them by diverting waste from landfills."

Through The Alternative and Clean Energy Program and the Renewable Energy Program, Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to helping businesses meet water-quality standards with the investment of nearly $1.8 million in grants and loans for five projects in Blair, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Wayne counties.

The Alternative and Clean Energy Program and the Renewable Energy Program provides financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds for alternative, clean and renewable energy projects in the commonwealth. The programs are administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Environmental Protection, under the direction of the CFA.

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

Editor's Note: The projects approved by the CFA are listed below (potential costs savings are estimates calculated by DCED using standard industry methodology):  

Blair County

Pleasant View Farms Inc. will receive $790,203 in grants and loans from the Alternative and Clean Energy program for the purchase and installation of an anaerobic digester that will produce biogas from manure at its farm in Woodbury Township.  The digester will provide annual energy production of 1,149,365 kWh, exceeding the farm's current electrical consumption by approximately 637,365 kWh.  The total project cost is $1.6 million.

Bucks County

Peace Tree Farm will receive a $229,531 Alternative and Clean Energy program loan for the purchase and installation of a biomass boiler system to replace an existing propane boiler in Nockamixon Township.  The new 2 MW boiler will use an estimated 465 tons of wood pellets annually and replace 100 percent of the fossil fuel used by Peace Tree Farm.  The total project cost is $459,063.

Chester County

Herr Foods Inc. will receive a $350,000 Alternative and Clean Energy program grant for the purchase and installation of an anaerobic digester that will produce biogas from manure and potato peelings in Nottingham.  The digester will provide annual energy production of 2,841,342 kWh, exceeding the farm's current electrical consumption by approximately 2,283,342 kWh.  The total project cost is $1.8 million.  

Philadelphia County

Donovan Heat Treating Company Inc. will receive a $423,375 Alternative and Clean Energy program loan to upgrade and rebuild an energy efficient furnace at its commercial heat treatment facility in Philadelphia.  The new high efficiency low NOx (nitrogen oxide) pulse-fired burners will reduce consumption of natural gas by 30-35 percent and create eight new jobs.  The total project cost is $846,750.  

Wayne County

The Cooperage Project will receive a $35,430 Alternative and Clean Energy program grant for the purchase and installation of a biomass boiler to heat and cool the 7,000-square-foot McKanna Cooperage Building in Texas Township.  The biomass boiler is expected to reduce the use of conventional fuel oil by nearly 4,473 gallons, for an annual savings of $10,358 in energy costs.  The total project cost is $70,861.  

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, DCED, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development