HARRISBURG, Pa., July 12, 2006 /PRNewswire

 

Governor Edward G. Rendell today said people who live in 15 Pennsylvania counties will soon get a first-hand look at the benefits of wind energy now that schools, local government buildings and other public facilities have been approved to receive free, small wind turbines.

"Alternative energy, especially wind energy, is soaring to new heights in Pennsylvania," Governor Rendell said of the project, which is funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. "This Small Wind Energy Project will bring these new sources of power into peoples' daily lives.

"Pennsylvania is a leader in the country's efforts to build a clean and secure energy future, and this project to bring alternative energy to the grassroots level will propel the emerging markets even further."

Brought back to life by Governor Rendell after years of inactivity, PEDA recently awarded a $193,000 grant to Southwest Windpower to place 15 small, advanced-technology wind turbines in highly visible locations at schools, local government buildings and other public facilities across the state.

Each of the turbines will generate enough electricity to power a typical residence --- and get people thinking about adopting alternative energy sources in their homes and businesses.

"America needs to create its own sources of energy and find ways to power our future without sacrificing the quality of our environment," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "The Small Wind Energy Project is another step along the path to a clean and secure energy future for Pennsylvanians."

Successful applicants are receiving one of the Southwest Windpower small-scale wind systems and basic installation at no charge. The wind energy systems will be mounted in the ground on 35-foot towers and will generate 1.8 kilowatts of electricity each, enough to meet the needs of a typical home. The units are valued at $10,000 each.

The sites selected are spread across the commonwealth in diverse demographic areas. Each grant application was required to include plans for educational outreach.

The recipients include the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies in Erie, where students will help craft educational activities, and rural Troy Township, Bradford County, where the turbine at the municipal building will be one of the first alternative energy projects in the area. A full list of the 15 sites is attached to the end of this release.

Pennsylvania is a leader in wind production east of the Mississippi, with 153 megawatts that provide enough clean energy to power 70,000 homes. The growth potential is significant. There are more than 5,000 megawatts of untapped wind power in the state, with the potential to generate 45 billion kilowatt-hours annually, or enough to power more than 5 million homes.

Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, one of the most progressive in the nation, ensures that 18 percent of all retail electricity generated by 2020 comes from clean, efficient and advanced resources. The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard will create the demand for more than 3,000 megawatts of wind energy over the next 15 years.

Part of the demand for wind energy will be met through the efforts of Spanish wind-energy company Gamesa Corp., which chose to base its North American headquarters in Pennsylvania following a campaign spearheaded by Governor Rendell. Gamesa, the second largest wind energy company in the world, earlier this year increased its investment in the commonwealth to more than $84 million, including manufacturing facilities in Bucks and Cambria counties. Gamesa will create as many as 1,000 jobs in Pennsylvania over five years.

The commonwealth also is central to growing solar and biofuel sectors. Pennsylvania's clean energy law mandates some 700 megawatts of electricity from solar photovoltaics by 2020, the second largest solar requirement in the country. Within the year, the state also could be the nation's leading producer of biodiesel with a projected 40 million gallons of annual production.

The growth potential of these sources, combined with Governor Rendell's strategic investments in cutting-edge projects, is drawing national and international attention.

Governor Rendell's energy plan includes transportation fuels, a key to developing energy security for Pennsylvania residents and businesses. Pennsylvanians now spend some $30 billion per year on imported energy fuels. Instead of spending overseas, Governor Rendell is investing at home and putting Pennsylvanians to work.

Governor Rendell's "PennSecurity Fuels Initiative" will produce and use 900 million gallons annually of clean, domestic fuel --- an amount equivalent to what the state is expected to import from the Persian Gulf 10 years from now. The Governor is investing $30 million over the next five years to build re-fueling and production infrastructure to support wide distribution of the alternative fuels.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us .

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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