Pennsylvania DCED: State Investment Supports Clean Energy Projects in Six Counties

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Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Jan 26, 2012, 01:35 ET

CFA Funding will Support Construction of Pennsylvania's Largest Wind Farm

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean, alternative and renewable energy sources by investing in six projects in six counties that can power more than 44,000 Pennsylvania homes.

"These investments will result in substantial energy savings for businesses, families, municipalities and schools that use renewable technologies," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. "These new projects will help make the development and deployment of solar, wind and renewable energy technology more affordable across Pennsylvania."

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) yesterday approved six projects for nearly $13.8 million funding through the state's Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, and Alternative and Clean Energy Programs. The projects will have an installed capacity of more than 141 megawatts and the generation of more than 423,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. The electric generation could power at least 44,101 homes – and would be enough to provide energy to every household in the City of Erie or the City of Reading.

Walker said one of the projects, developed by EverPower Wind Holdings Inc., will receive a $12.7 million Renewable Energy Program grant for the construction of the Twin Ridges Wind Farm in Northampton, Southampton, Larimer and Greensville townships, Somerset County. The 139.4-megawatt wind farm will be the largest in Pennsylvania and will generate 20 percent of the state's wind power. The $238.8 million project will create an additional $226.2 million in private economic investments and is expected to be operational by the end of 2012.

Projects were approved in Adams, Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Franklin and Somerset counties. The state investments are expected to result in more than $231.7 million in additional private economic investments.

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

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development