New Pennsylvania State Alternative, Clean Energy Investments Leading to Lower Energy Bills for Consumers in 7 Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New investments in alternative and clean energy are helping Pennsylvania's consumers, businesses and municipalities create jobs by replacing old energy systems with new technology that will reduce energy bills by nearly $1.5 million each year, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Austin Burke said today.

"With these new projects, the commonwealth is strengthening its commitment to develop and deploy clean, safe, green energy technology statewide," Burke said.  "We are continuing to help businesses, families and local communities save money by becoming more energy efficient."

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $4.1 million in grants and loans for nine projects in seven counties that will use energy-efficient technologies like compact fluorescent lighting and alternative forms of power such as wind, geothermal and biomass.  

In total, the projects account for $6.6 million in private investments in the state and, and once completed, will save citizens, businesses and local governments nearly $1.5 million in annual energy costs.

The CFA administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs, including portions of the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund that Governor Edward G. Rendell signed into law in 2008.

For more information on Pennsylvania's alternative energy programs, or other programs available through the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact:

Theresa Elliott, DCED; 717-783-1132

Editor's Note:  A list of the nine alternative energy projects the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved today follows (potential costs savings are estimates calculated by DCED using standard industry methodology): 

Blair County

Blair County will receive an $86,681 alternative and clean energy program loan to help install energy-efficient lighting at the Blair County Airport. The compact fluorescent lamps, ballasts and occupancy sensors will provide better lighting for outdoor applications and reduce operating costs by more than 193,451 kilowatt hours, or $12,754 per year. The total project cost is $173,362.

Berks County

Joseph and Marilyn Ging will receive a $10,478 renewable energy program loan to help purchase and install a $20,956 geothermal system in their Fleetwood Borough home. The closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system will replace the home's 16-year-old oil burning system, which is expected to save the Gings $1,297 annually in heating costs.  

Bucks County

Y-Carbon Inc. will receive a $67,190 alternative and clean energy program grant for to purchase and install research and development equipment at its laboratory in Bristol Borough. The company is developing tunable activated carbon technologies, which allow for greater storage capacity in supercapacitors and fuel cells. The total project cost is $134,380.    

Lancaster County

Illuminex Corp. will receive a $63,976 alternative and clean energy program grant to purchase and install research and development equipment in Lancaster. The company is researching and developing advanced batteries for storing and deploying energy from alternative sources, such as wind, waste energy and solar.  The total project cost is $127,953.    

Northumberland County

Kurt Weiss Greenhouses of Pennsylvania Inc. will receive a $959,500 alternative and clean energy program loan to help purchase and install a wood chip boiler at its Mt. Carmel Township facility. The company plans to upgrade its current natural gas-fired boilers and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million pounds per year. The $1.9 million project is expected to save the company $520,000 annually in energy costs.

Union County

Evangelical Community Hospital will receive an $800,000 alternative and clean energy loan to purchase a biomass boiler system for its Kelly Township facility. The $2.4 million project will provide 1.2 million kWh of electricity annually and reduce energy expenditures by more than 50 percent, or $637,268 annually.

York County  

Alcoil Inc will receive a $520,000 alternative and clean energy program grant to assist with its $1.1 million new technology heat exchanger manufacturing project in Jacobus Borough. Alcoil plans to purchase an aluminum brazing furnace so it can manufacture energy-efficient air conditioning and refrigeration equipment that can reduce energy use by up to 40 percent. The company anticipates 52 new full-time jobs will be created.      

Hillandale Farms East Wind Turbine Project will receive a $100,000 renewable energy program grant to help with the $497,900 purchase of two wind turbines in Codorus Township. The new equipment will regulate the temperature and air quality for the chicken houses, and produce electricity for automated egg handling, sorting, washing, egg packing, processing equipment and refrigeration units. The two 50-kW wind turbines will produce 250,000 kWh per year, offsetting 18 percent of Hillandale's electricity usage.  

The City of York, on behalf of the York City Sewer Authority, will receive a $1.5 million alternative and clean energy loan to purchase and install a micro-turbine cogeneration system in Manchester Township. The new system will replace a 20-year-old co-generation system and provide 2.5 million kWh of electricity from the methane produced as a naturally occurring by-product during the wastewater treatment process. The $4.3 million system will save the authority $277,775 in energy costs annually.    

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development