State Invests $20.7 Million In Clean Energy Projects

The PA Energy Development Authority this week announced $20.7 million investments in 25 projects to generate and conserve enough energy to power more than 26,000 homes, reducing carbon emissions equivalent to removing more than 17,000 cars from our roadways.

The projects will produce or save 2.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity over their lifetimes, or 110 million kilowatt hours per year. These projects will create 430 permanent green jobs, 1,068 construction jobs and help to retain 4,110 manufacturing jobs by stabilizing energy costs with on-site renewable energy systems.

The $20.7 million included $10 million from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The public funding leverages another $120 million in private matching funds for a total investment of $140.7 million.

In addition, the projects include 9.3 megawatts of solar projects, geothermal, wind, carbon capture for coal, biodigesters for farms, combined heat and power and efficient lighting systems.

The 12 projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will generate or save more than 1.1 billion kilowatt hours over their lifetimes or 52 million kilowatt hours each year for the next 25 years, enough to power more than 5,000 homes; create 185 permanent jobs; create 381 temporary/ construction jobs; retain 3,776 jobs; and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 100 million pounds, an amount generated by 8,561 passenger cars.

In addition, state funding from the Growing Greener II initiative will support 12 projects that will:

Generate or save more than 1.1 billion kilowatt hours over their lifetime or 53 million kilowatt hours per year, enough to power more than 5,100 homes; create 245 permanent jobs; create 612 temporary/construction jobs; retain 334 jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 100 million pounds, an amount generated by 8,720 passenger cars.

An additional $800,000 is being used to fund a project in Duquesne Light Company’s electric service territory and immediately adjacent areas. This project will receive funds allocated to the Department of Environmental Protection through the settlement of a Duquesne Light electric rate case. These funds will help ratepayers located within the Duquesne Light territory cope with high energy costs and ensure they have a secure energy supply that is needed for critical operations.

“We received a record 389 PEDA applications this year, seeking more than $400 million,” said Gov. Rendell. “There is greater competition for a limited amount of funding for projects that will generate new, clean renewable sources of energy. Businesses and organizations know that by undertaking these types of projects, they are making sound investments in their own futures and the future of Pennsylvania.”

A list of grants awarded is available online.