CLEAARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners voted to terminate its cooperation agreement with SWAN Biomass Inc. at its meeting Tuesday in order to proceed with the transfer of grant funding to a cellulosic biomass ethanol research project in Curwensville.
Solicitor Kim Kesner said the county had received $2 million through the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program grant, which was previously awarded from the state in 2007. He said the board previously agreed to submit an application to the state for the funding to be transferred.
According to prior GantDaily reports, Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen said that Helios Scientific LLC was interested in opening the research center. Helios is a Pennsylvania-based science and technology firm and the sister company to Illinois-based Axion Analytical Laboratories Inc.
Robinson-McMillen said the $2 million was originally to be used for a biomass conversion center project but in a Lawrence Township location. That project, however, didn’t pan out for SWAN Biomass Inc., an Illinois-based company. As a result, the county requested for the state to transfer the grant to the Curwensville project, she said.
In October, Dr. Lee Polite, president and chief science officer of Helios Scientific LLC, announced the launch of its cellulosic ethanol project in Curwensville. He said the facility will use cutting-edge technology to turn cellulose into affordable energy.
According to him, the site will not only serve as a demonstration facility, but will also use byproducts, such as waste wood, switchgrass and corn husks, to produce 30,000 gallons of ethanol each year. He said the facility will employ five workers as well as any hired during the construction process.
Polite could not provide an estimated start-up date at the press conference. But he said they would like to bid out contractor services on Nov. 1 and begin construction on Dec. 1.