The Commonwealth Financing Authority Tuesday awarded an $850,000 state grant to Valley Energy, Inc. for a pipeline project located in Bradford County, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

The grant from the Pipeline Investment Program will help to fund the $1.8 million dollar project to extend gas service to East Athens in Athens Township, Bradford County through the installation of approximately 18,000 feet of pipeline. 

The extension will service 66 new gas customers and seven commercial properties.  Company officials have indicated that they would begin engineering and permitting later this year with construction expected to start and be completed in 2019.

“There is widespread support in seeing locally produced natural gas used locally to benefit our area homeowners and businesses,” Sen. Yaw said.  “As one of many supporters, we look forward to the advancement of this important project to the community and its citizens. I’m glad that the CFA saw value in Valley Energy’s application.”

The PIPE program was crafted by Sen. Yaw and approved by the Legislature in 2016 as an amendment to the Fiscal Code bill providing grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the Commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents.

There have been a total of 12 pipeline extension projects funded by this program totalling $9,956,374.  Click Here for a list of approved projects.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority has an open application period for this program.

For more information, visit the CFA Pipeline Investment Program webpage.

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[Posted: Sept. 20, 2018]

9/24/2018