Governor Corbett: New Alternative, Clean Energy Investments Will Create 25 Jobs and Leverage $109 Million in Additional Economic Investments

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Corbett today announced that Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean, alternative and renewable energy sources with the investment of more than $9.6 million in 13 projects in 11 counties.

"The projects supported by the CFA will help businesses and school districts save collectively on their utility costs and reduce their environmental impact," said Corbett. "They will also result in significant private economic investment throughout the commonwealth and the creation of 25 new jobs."

Among the approved projects includes PMF Industries, Inc. which will receive a $250,000 Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for their manufacturing facility expansion project located in Williamsport, Lycoming County. To meet with the growing demand in the manufacturing, automotive and retail sectors, PMF plans to expand their precision metal forming manufacturing facility to allow for the manufacturing of compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders. The expansion project is projected to create 25 new jobs in the next three years.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) yesterday approved 13 projects, through the state's Alternative and Clean Energy Program including five Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas fueling stations which have the benefits of reducing emissions, fuel savings and utilizing the large domestic source of natural gas available in Pennsylvania.  

"We have an available, abundant, domestic, economical and clean-burning supply of natural gas throughout Pennsylvania that can be used in a number of ways including to fuel our vehicles," said Corbett. "Increasing the number of natural gas filling stations in the state will grow the industry, boost our economy and result in a better environment."

In total, 13 projects were approved in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin, Erie, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Montgomery and Schuylkill counties. The state investments are projected to result in more than $109 million in additional economic investments. 

For more information about the Alternative and Clean Energy Program, other CFA programs and a complete list of new projects, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972. 

Media contact:
Eric Shirk, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Lyndsay Frank, DCED; 717-783-1132

Editor's Note: The list of Commonwealth Financing Authority project approvals:

Alternative and Clean Energy Projects:

Dauphin County
Phoenix Contact Services, Inc. will receive a $975,000 Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant to purchase and install a combined heat and power system at the company's headquarters in Lower Swatara Township, Dauphin County. The CHP system is expected to reduce energy consumption by 19,013 megawatt hours annually and improve energy generation efficiency by 85 percent. The installation of the CHP system will fulfill 100 percent of the headquarters' electrical needs and result in a cost savings of approximately $280,000 annually.

Montgomery County
Clemens Food Group, LLC will receive a $2 million Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for the purchase and installation of a CHP system at its production plant located in Hatfield Township. The $6,766,575 project is projected to reduce energy costs by installing a 4.4 CHP system to benefit the facility's electrical and production steam system needs. The CHP system will be fueled by natural gas and will offset 47 percent of the site's electricity requirements and 55 percent of the natural gas consumed for their production steam system.

High Performance Building Projects:

Bucks County
Bensalem Township School District will receive a $2 million Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for the renovation of the Bensalem High School into a LEED Gold high performance building located in Bensalem Township. The funds will be used for energy efficient upgrades to thermal envelope the geothermal system, water-saving fixtures, and the additional engineering, design and commissioning costs associated with LEED certification.

Carbon County
Lehighton Area School District will receive a $750,000 Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for the renovation of the East Penn Elementary School in East Penn Township. The project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting, and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 1.13 million kBTU annually and achieve USGBC LEED Gold certification.

Lehighton Area School District will receive a $750,000 grant for the renovation of the Mahoning Elementary School in Mahoning Township into LEED Gold high performance building. The project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting, and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 837,474 kBTU annually.

Schuylkill County
Tri-Valley School District will receive a $565,000 Alternative and Clean Energy Program grant for the renovation of the Hegins-Hubley Elementary School in Hegins Township. The project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting, and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 370,583 kWh annually and achieve USGBC LEED Gold certification. Additionally, new low-flow water fixtures will save over 218,000 gallons of water annually.

Tri-Valley School District will receive a $320,000 grant for the renovation of the Mahantongoa Elementary School in Mahantongo Township into LEED Gold high performance building.  The project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting, and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 230,776 kWh annually. Additionally, new low-flow water fixtures will save over 101,500 gallons of water annually.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)/Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Projects:

Allegheny County
Desdemona Holdings LP will receive a $372,300 grant and a $248,200 loan to support the construction of a CNG fueling station and network in western Pennsylvania under the American Natural Retail brand. The semi-public fueling stations will target the public transportation sector and local taxis. The first project located in the City of Pittsburgh expects a minimum of 20 high mileage vehicles frequenting the station.

Beaver County
Beemac Trucking LLC will receive a $469,292 grant for the construction of a CNG fueling station for use by their tractor trailer fleet and the public. The station will have two separate pump dispenser units and will be open around-the-clock to the public for CNG fueling. Additionally, Beemac has ordered 20 new CNG dedicated class eight tractors trailers. The CNG tractor trailers will avoid the consumption of 254,800 gallons of diesel fuel annually.

Cumberland County
Clean Energy will receive a $539,014 grant to construct a public access LNG filling station with two fast fill pumps at the Carlisle Flying-J Truck Stop, an existing gasoline and diesel station. Clean Energy estimates usage of the LNG will increase each year until the fifth year, when it is expected to reach its projected annual volume of 3.2 million gallons of diesel equivalent gallons per year.

Erie County
Birkmire Trailer Company will receive a $207,969 grant to assist in the construction of a CNG filling station. The station will have a 125 gallon per hour CNG compressor and 16 slow fill dispensers with fast fill capability. The company will purchase six new CNG trucks and will convert 15 existing trucks to CNG, still allowing for diesel fuel capabilities. Converting to CNG will reduce diesel use by 358,767 gallons per year, saving the company $827,880 annually. The station will be semi-public, providing access to other trucking companies in the area.

Lackawanna County
LT Verrastro, Inc. will receive a $217,399 grant to construct a CNG filling station. The station will have a 125hp CNG compressor with three dual-hose posts for time fill and one mini fast fill dispenser. Converting to CNG will reduce the diesel consumption by 25,000 gallons in the first year. Lt Verrastro will purchase five CNG trucks and will continue to replace its fleet over the next six years, purchasing a total of 50 CNG vehicles. Once replaced, the new fleet will reduce the company's diesel consumption by 250,000 gallons in one year.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor