HARRISBURG — Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced the investment of more than $11 million in 24 innovative, alternative and renewable energy projects that are designed to attract nearly $122 million in new, private economic growth; create more than 730 permanent jobs and 1,200 temporary positions.
The governor said Pennsylvania needs to provide this support if it is to remain competitive in the alternative and renewable energy industries and strengthen its energy independence and economy.
“The 24 projects we’re announcing today are helping to keep Pennsylvania as the leader in the ‘new energy economy’,” said Rendell. “Three weeks ago, I urged the General Assembly to clear the way for Pennsylvania to invest in its future and establish itself as the leader in these growing industries.
“We’re among the top destinations for cutting edge projects in areas like solar and wind energy technologies but other states and other nations are stepping up to compete with us,” he said. “California has made more than $3 billion available for solar development and Iowa is investing $1.3 billion in mostly biofuels production. Even smaller and less populated states like Rhode Island and Wyoming have made $300 million and $400 million available for alternative energy development.”
The governor said investors injected $71 billion last year into the renewable energy sector, up 43 percent from 2005. Meanwhile, another $85 billion in investment capital is expected to reach the market this year. Pennsylvania, he said, is only able to support approximately 10 percent of the requests it receives for economic development funding, which means the commonwealth is missing out on at least $100 million in new investments each year.
“Our commitments to this rapidly growing industry and our strategic investments have established the commonwealth as a destination location for groundbreaking projects in wind, solar, coal gasification and biofuels production,” said Rendell.
“For far too long, Pennsylvania has been held back because so much of its economy was in industries that were shrinking. Now we are well positioned to compete with other states and other nations for more of these projects and that position will only increase with the Energy Independence Strategy we have proposed. We should jump at this chance.”
The 24 projects announced Monday were approved by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and involve biofuel production, carbon sequestration, green building technologies, and energy efficiency projects. The commonwealth plans to announce additional investments through the alternative fuels incentive grant program later this week; energy harvest grants will be announced in the near future.
“With rising energy costs, uncertain supplies and political upheavals around the world, investing in home grown energy solutions is in America’s best interest,” said Rendell. “Rather than relying on foreign nations for our energy, which makes us economically vulnerable, we’re investing in ourselves — our companies, communities and people.”
Beyond the economic opportunities created through these projects, the governor said Pennsylvania’s environment would benefit, as well. Combined, the projects will eliminate 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, reduce emissions of smog-producing pollutants like sulfur dioxide by more than 15,000 tons, and
nitrogen oxide by 4,300 tons.
Additionally, some of the projects approved will help meet the state’s electricity needs, generating 3.2 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually — enough to power 320,000 homes.
To solidify Pennsylvania’s position as a leading destination state for development in the alternative and renewable energy industries, the governor urged action on the Energy Independence Strategy he unveiled in February.
Designed to save consumers $10 billion over the next decade, the initiative leverages $850 million in new state resources to attract $3.5 billion in new private investments and create 13,000 jobs. Additionally, the strategy will spark development in Pennsylvania’s alternative and renewable energy industries and reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil by requiring nearly a billion gallons of biofuels be produced and consumed in the commonwealth.
Since enacting the governor’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act in 2004, Pennsylvania has become a leading destination for alternative and renewable energy projects. These projects have attracted $1 billion in new investments and nearly 3,000 new jobs. The law requires that 18 percent of all energy generated and sold in the state comes from alternative and renewable sources by 2021.
Locally, a Centre County project received funding as part of the initiative. The Pennsylvania State University — $560,000 for development of a residential-scale wind, geothermal energy and hydrogen fueling systems to complement an 8.7 kW solar electric and solar thermal system at PSU’s Net-Zero Energy MorningStar Home research and educational facility. PSU estimates that the total system will produce 13,400 kWh annually and reduce annual air emissions by more than 14 tons of carbon dioxide.