Pennsylvania Invests $10 Million for Clean Energy Projects
May 12, 2006
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Pennsylvania will create jobs in the alternative energy industry and provide affordable, reliable energy for Commonwealth businesses and residents by investing $10 million in new clean energy projects.
Eligible Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) projects include solar energy, wind, low-impact hydropower, geothermal, methane gas, biomass, fuel cells, waste coal, integrated gasification combined cycle, recycled energy and energy recovery, energy efficiency and load management, and alternative fuels for transportation. "Pennsylvania is changing the way clean energy is produced and distributed," Governor Rendell said. "This $10 million investment will continue the Commonwealth's leadership in one of the most important issues of our time: energy security."
Governor Rendell made $5 million in grants available for the third round of Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) funding. PEDA has awarded $15 million in grants and loans for 41 clean energy projects that will leverage another $200 million in private investment. The projects will create 1,558 permanent and construction jobs. Research projects could net more than 300 full-time jobs.
The Governor also announced $5 million in available grants for the fourth round of funding under the Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program. Since 2003, this program has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds for more than 100 clean energy projects.
Eligible PEDA projects may include solar energy; wind; low-impact hydropower; geothermal; biologically derived methane gas, including landfill gas; biomass; fuel cells; coal-mine methane; waste coal; integrated gasification combined cycle; demand management measures, including recycled energy and energy recovery, energy efficiency and load management; and clean, alternative fuels for transportation. PEDA project priorities include solar, distributed generation for critical public infrastructure and clean, alternative fuels for transportation.
Pennsylvania's commitment to wind production provides enough clean energy to power about 70,000 homes. Gamesa, the second largest wind energy company in the world, is investing $84 million in Pennsylvania for four manufacturing facilities and its North American headquarters. As many as 1,000 jobs will be created over five years.
