PA Investments Will Help Replace Inefficient Energy Systems with Cleaner, Money-Saving Solutions

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- School districts, employers and individuals throughout Pennsylvania will be able to replace old, inefficient energy systems with new technology and save a more than $170,000 a year, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Austin Burke said today.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the $3 million in investments at its monthly meeting today.

“We are continuing to help families, businesses, local communities, and school districts save money and become more energy efficient,” Burke said.  “Project by project, we are paving the way to a cleaner, stronger, more sustainable environment – one that will employ thousands of hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

The CFA administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs, including portions of the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund that Governor 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: Jamie Yates, 717-783-1132

Editor’s Note:  An earlier version of this news release erroneously included two additional projects in Lawrence and York counties. The corrected list follows.

The six alternative energy projects approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority are listed below: 

Berks County

Randy and Marilyn Moses will receive an $8,000 renewable energy program loan to help with the installation of a $21,300 geothermal system in their Hereford Township home. The 3-ton, closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system will replace the home’s electrical baseboard heating system, 10-year-old central AC system, and hot water heater.  The homeowners expect to save 10,841 kWh per year, or $1,355.

Blair County

Chestnut Flats Wind LLC will receive a $1 million renewable energy program grant for the development of an $80 million wind farm in Logan Township. The company, formed by Gamesa Technology Corporation Inc., will construct a 38MW wind farm on the Chestnut Flats plateau that will deliver 115,000MWh of electricity, which is enough to power 11,000 average Pennsylvania homes.

Centre County

Penns Valley Area School District will receive an $868,959 alternative and clean energy program grant to help with the installation of a biomass boiler at schools in Penn Township.  The boiler will provide low-cost renewable fuel heat for the high school, elementary school and maintenance building and will reduce conventional fuel oil and electric utilization by nearly 84,000 gallons and 400,000 kWh annually, which will reduce operating costs by more than $150,000 per year. The total project cost is $3.37 million.

Lancaster County

Quanta Technologies Inc. will receive a $585,298 alternative and clean energy program loan for the purchase of new manufacturing equipment at its facility in Lancaster. Quanta, a start-up company, will manufacture a storm window system that provides a cost effective way to insulate existing windows and be 30 percent cheaper than a replacement window. The new equipment will allow Quanta to produce 240,000 units annually and employ 60 employees within the first three years. The total project cost is $1.17 million.

Philadelphia County

The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation will receive a $135,000 renewable energy program loan to help with the installation of a geothermal system at a mixed-use building in West Philadelphia. The technology will have 30 wells and a heat pump to provide heating and cooling for the building. Its installation will help the building complex receive a high performance building certification. The total project cost for the geothermal system is $270,000.

Schuylkill County

Minersville Area School District, on behalf of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, will receive a $496,368 alternative and clean energy program loan to install a new HVAC system at its Norwegian Township site. The new system will annually save 154,770 kWh per year and $19,000. The total project cost is $996,368. 

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development