HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, today said that Gov. Edward G. Rendell has authorized the release of up to $2 million to develop a biomass conversion center in Clearfield to support the emerging biofuels industry in Pennsylvania.
“The funding commitment is another milestone in Clearfield County’s emergence as the energy and innovation hub of Pennsylvania,” George said. “The SWAN Biomass Conversion Center of Excellence will provide the job training and technical services needed to operate 10 biorefineries throughout Pennsylvania.
“Establishing the conversion center – and a site in Clearfield already is leased – is the critical, first step to building a biorefinery in Clearfield that would produce 30 million gallons of ethanol a year from wood waste,” said George. “Ten biorefineries supported by the center would create a projected 12,000 jobs across the state and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 900 million gallons a year.”
George said the Illinois-based SWAN Biomass Co., and Axion Analytical Laboratories Inc., a leading supplier of analytical services and also an Illinois firm, are spearheading the project.
The U.S. departments of Agriculture and Energy last year awarded the Penn State Energy Institute, SWAN Biomass and Axion Analytical Laboratories a $580,000 federal grant to improve processes for converting hardwood feedstocks into fuel ethanol.
The $2 million funding authorization through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program was made possible through a Capital Budget request submitted by George last year.
A $60 million Capital Budget request by George for construction of the biorefinery in Clearfield County remains on the table. The Clearfield Biorefinery is being developed by Biomass Converters Inc., based in Clearfield.
“The SWAN Biomass Conversion Center of Excellence would make Clearfield the command central for technologies and expertise on biofuels from wood
wastes,” said George, chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “It would provide the spark for construction of biorefineries, including the facility to be operated locally.”
George said plans call for six highly trained workers at the conversion center, who initially would set up equipment and processes for the Clearfield Biorefinery where 33 jobs are envisioned.
Construction of the local biorefinery could start in late 2008.
George said the hardwood-fuels project is a perfect complement to the $160 million Sunnyside ethanol plant in Curwensville, the $270 million BioEnergy ethanol plant and cellulose pilot plant in Clearfield and the $550 million waste-coal generation plant planned near Karthaus.
“Gov. Rendell is absolutely correct that development of alternative and renewable energy will drive the economy well into the 21st century,” George said. “Clearfield County is poised to be a leader in this economy, but support is needed for the Energy Independence Strategy so we can continue to invest and build for the future.”