| Pennsylvania Adds More Clean
Energy Project Grants
Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced last week that
Pennsylvania is making investments to support clean energy projects that
will create more than 1,000 permanent and temporary jobs. The governor
added that the state's $8.5 million investment in 25 projects will
leverage more than $144 million in private sector investment. The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has approved $8.5 million in grants and loans for 25 clean energy projects that will leverage another $144.3 million in private investment. The projects will create 228 permanent and up to 880 construction jobs in the commonwealth. "Pennsylvania is using its resources to build a clean energy future that enhances security, generates economic growth and cleans up the environment," Governor Rendell said. "Development and deployment of alternative energy resources is an economic and environmental win. By investing in companies, we are creating opportunities to put our people to work." Energy output from the projects, which were approved by PEDA, will generate 3.5 million megawatt hours, enough to power about 437,000 Pennsylvania homes. Another 526,225 megawatt hours will be conserved. The projects also have the potential to produce 45 million gallons of biofuel. The 25 projects will receive financial assistance in the form of grants or loans for a variety of clean electricity projects using sources such as wind, solar, biomass, waste coal and recycled energy. The funding also will finance comprehensive redevelopment plans and technological innovations using Pennsylvania fuels. The state financing supports millions of dollars in funding being invested into the projects by private interests. This funding represents the second round of awards by PEDA, which Governor Rendell revitalized after years of inactivity as part of his strategy to build a clean, indigenous, diversified energy industry in the state. In June, PEDA awarded $6.5 million to finance 16 clean energy projects that will create as many as 450 permanent and construction jobs. In addition, the research projects, if successful, could net as many as 327 full-time jobs. The PEDA projects were evaluated on a variety of criteria, including their ability to promote Pennsylvania's indigenous energy resources, encourage energy diversity and enhance energy security. The projects were judged on their potential to create jobs and stimulate investment in the commonwealth. Potential environmental benefits, as well as technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, also were considered. The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program funds projects that build markets for advanced and renewable energy technologies that use biomass, wind, solar, small-scale hydroelectric, landfill methane, energy efficiency, coal-bed methane and waste coal. The program has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds since its inception in May 2003.
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