July 5, 2005 |
"Many efforts, some extremely well-funded, have tried to find the
balance that will keep a solar-powered airplane plane in the air for two
consecutive nights. Until today, not one had found it."
- Alan Cocconi, SoLong?s creator and chief pilot
The largest award of the 17 projects, would involve the re-opening of three
coal mines to provide feedstock for a coking operation. In Cambria County, the
questionably-named Pristine Resources Inc. will receive $3.5 million to convert
waste heat from a 1.7-million-tons-per-year coking operation into an operation
that will produce 130 MW of electricity annually. The project will create 179
jobs at the coking operation and another 500 jobs in three coal mines that would
be reopened to provide feedstock to the plant.
In Allegheny County, PFBC Environmental Energy Technology Inc. will receive $1
million to design, construct and commission a "Process Rest Facility"
capable of burning a wide variety of Pennsylvania waste coals.
Some other projects, however, more closely match the common view of clean energy
projects. These include a wind project in Luzerne County where Community Energy
will receive $1 million to build a 24 MW utility-scale wind farm using Gamesa
turbines to produce an anticipated 73,000 MWhs annually.
There are also two solar-related projects: Plextronics Inc. will receive
$300,000 to fund the research necessary for development of the next generation
of solar cells based on polymer technology. In Westmoreland County, Solar Power
Industries Inc. will receive $302,676 to research potential nontraditional means
to increase available feedstock of solar-grade silicon, which is used for the
majority of solar cells manufacturing and experiencing a supply-side constraints
worldwide.
Two more projects tap landfill gas for electric power while another modifies a
natural gas micro-turbine to run on B100 biodiesel.
The 17 selected projects will receive financial assistance in the form of grants
or loans for a variety of electric power projects, including wind, solar,
biomass, waste coal and coal gasification, and comprehensive redevelopment
plans, among others. The state financing supports millions of dollars in funding
being invested into the projects by private interests.
Whether for coal-fired generation or renewable energy projects, all are expected
to stimulate the state's economy, creating as many as 1,786 permanent and
construction jobs in the commonwealth. In addition, the research projects, if
successful, could net as many as 327 full-time jobs.
"We, in Pennsylvania, have the ingenuity and resources to develop and
deploy new clean energy technology," Environmental Protection Secretary
Kathleen A. McGinty said. "Our commonwealth is offering significant
financial incentives to make energy manufacturing a cornerstone in the state's
economic future and ensure that more electricity generation comes from
environmentally beneficial sources. PEDA refocuses our priorities on indigenous
energy resources by investing in clean, efficient energy made in
Pennsylvania."
Projects were evaluated on a variety of criteria, including their ability to
promote Pennsylvania?s indigenous energy resources, encourage energy diversity
and enhance energy security. The projects were judged on their potential to
create jobs and stimulate investment in the commonwealth. Potential
environmental benefits, as well as technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness,
were also considered.
PEDA was established in 1982 to promote applied energy research, provide
financial incentives for the deployment of clean, alternative energy projects
and promote investment in Pennsylvania's energy sector. After a period of
inactivity, Gov. Edward G. Rendell revitalized PEDA as part of his strategy to
build a clean, indigenous, diversified energy industry in the state.
Pennsylvania is home to one of the nation?s most progressive alternative energy
portfolio standards, ensuring that in 15 years, 18 percent of all of the energy
generated comes from clean, efficient sources. Pennsylvania is one of two states
with a portfolio standard that includes energy efficiency.
For the full list of funded projects, see the following link:
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