Pennsylvania DCED: New Alternative, Clean Energy Investments Will Create More than 350 Jobs and $184 Million in Private Investment

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean, alternative and renewable energy sources with the investment of more than $15.9 million in 10 projects in 10 counties that is expected to create 356 jobs over the next three years.   

"These state investments can help families, businesses and municipalities save collectively on their utility costs," said the Secretary of Community and Economic Development C. Alan Walker. "In addition, these new projects, which are large and small, urban and rural, are creating additional private economic investment in the commonwealth and creating jobs statewide."

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) yesterday approved 10 projects, through the state's Alternative and Clean Energy Program that will result in $247,197 in annual energy savings. The electric generation could power at least 7,300 homes.

The Borough of Lehighton will receive a $5.5 million Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for the construction of a hydroelectric plant at the Beltzville Lake Dam in Lehighton, Carbon County. The 2.6 megawatt low-impact, hydroelectric plant is being developed as public-private partnership between the Borough of Lehighton and Summit Water Nexus LLC. The $15.7 million project will create 9,470 megawatt hours of energy annually for the next 75 to 100 years. The project will also allow the borough to reduce consumption of electricity from the power grid at peak usage times.

Carlisle Area School District will receive a $666,000 Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant to purchase and install a combined heat and power (CHP) system at the district's main campus located in Carlisle, Cumberland County. The new one-megawatt combined heat and power system, fueled by natural gas, is expected to offset all of the site's annual electricity requirements. The CHP system is expected to produce 6,570 megawatt hours of energy annually and offset 27,375 MMBTU's of thermal energy.

In all, projects were approved in Blair, Bucks, Carbon, Cumberland, Franklin, Mifflin, Northampton, Schuylkill, Washington and Wyoming counties. The state investments are expected to result in more than $184.7 million in additional private economic investments. 

For a complete list of approved projects, visit www.newpa.com/webfm_send/1789. For more information about the Alternative and Clean Energy Program, and other CFA programs, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.  

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development