PA Governor Rendell Says Largest Solar Power Facility in Eastern U.S. Will Be Built in Bucks County
FALLS TOWNSHIP, Pa., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Governor Edward G. Rendell today unveiled plans for the construction of a new solar energy power station that will be the fourth-largest facility of its kind in the country and the largest east of Arizona when operations begin next April. "With the introduction of new, reliable alternative energy choices for Pennsylvania's consumers, we will empower our citizens and businesses to take control of escalating utility bills by adjusting usage to take advantage of lower, off-peak rates; encourage energy efficiency; use new, clean electricity generation and invest in Pennsylvania's home-grown energy," the Governor said. Speaking today at the project site, Governor Rendell announced that Exelon Generation Company LLC has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for the energy produced at a new solar energy generation plant with EPURON LLC, a subsidiary the world's largest solar integration company Conergy AG. Plans call for more than 16,500 solar panels to be built on 16.5-acres, adjacent to Waste Management's GROWS Landfill, capturing the sun's rays and converting them into electricity. Upon completion, the plant will produce approximately 3,700 megawatt hours of power, enough to meet the annual energy requirements of 300-350 homes. At this output, emission levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that directly contribute to pollution and acid rain will be reduced by the equivalent benefit of planting 33 acres of trees every year. "Not only are projects like this good for the environment, but they are creating new economic opportunities, creating thousands of new jobs in every corner of the state and putting Pennsylvania on the forefront of the developing renewable energy industry," said Governor Rendell. Pennsylvania's aggressive energy policies attracted Conergy to the commonwealth, spurring the company to invest $100 million in projects that are improving the economy and creating new jobs. Conergy officials cite the opportunities created under Governor Rendell's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards as among the reasons for selecting Pennsylvania to be its North American base. Since enacting the Governor's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act in 2004, Pennsylvania has become a leading international destination for projects that are helping to meet our energy demands in ways that also protect the environment. The energy portfolio ensures that 18 percent of all energy generated in the state comes from clean, efficient sources by 2021. In July, Governor Rendell and the General Assembly took steps to strengthen the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, clarifying the amount of clean, solar energy that must be produced and sold in Pennsylvania. This requirement means that by 2021, another 850 megawatts of solar power will be generated in Pennsylvania. EPURON GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading project development and structured finance companies in the renewable energy sector. With new offices in Philadelphia, EPURON has helped to strengthen the rapid growth of the U.S. solar energy market along with its sister company SunTechnics, Conergy's engineering and installation arm. "EPURON is excited about this landmark photovoltaic project," said Arndt E. Lutz, EPURON general manager. This project will launch utility-scale solar power plants in Pennsylvania and the entire Eastern U.S. The array will be one of the largest in the country and is the result of a successful partnership between Exelon Generation, Waste Management and the EPURON / SunTechnics team, and a major step toward energy independence and greenhouse gas reduction." "This agreement adds another element to Exelon's renewable energy portfolio," said John Rowe, Exelon Corporation's chairman, president and CEO. "As the nation turns its attention toward cleaner energy sources, it's essential that Exelon play a part. We believe there is a growing demand for renewables, and we want to help meet that demand." "Today's announcement is another step toward the development of Pennsylvania's renewable energy sector and expansion of the state's energy production," said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty. "With the passage of the Governor's proposed Energy Independence Strategy, projects like this will become a reality in communities across the state." Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy will provide Pennsylvania's energy consumers with the opportunity to collectively save $10 billion over 10 years, attract $3.5 billion in new investments into the economy and create an additional 13,000 jobs. Governor Rendell has called for a special session of the legislature beginning on Sept. 17 to work toward adoption of the Energy Independence Strategy proposal. This fall the Governor and the General Assembly will resume work to protect Pennsylvania's residents from skyrocketing utility rates and grow Pennsylvania's alternative energy industry. For more information on Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/. 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/ . Contact: Barry Ciccocioppo, 717-783-1116 or Neil Weaver (DEP), 717-787-1323 Pennsylvania Office of the Governor CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116 or Neil Weaver of DEP, +1-717-787-1323 Web Site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ http://www.governor.state.pa.us/
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