Pennsylvania hands out $5.4M in cleantech grants

Pennsylvania announced $5.4 million in Energy Harvest grants today, going toward 28 renewable energy projects in the state.

"Rather than continuing to rely on oil supplies that may come from politically unstable or hostile nations, or electricity derived from dirtier fossil fuels, we're investing in our future by supporting the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies that will strengthen our economy, create new jobs, and protect our environment," said Gov. Edward Rendell.

Last month, Pennsylvania doled out $21.1 million for cleantech projects (see Pennsylvania hands out cash for alternative energy).

The governor's office said the projects receiving support today would generate 18.5 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity, replace 3.1 billion BTUs of natural gas and 225,000 gallons of petroleum-based fuels, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 29 million pounds.

Exeter Township is getting $1 million under the grant program for a regional biosolids drying facility. The facility is expected to produce Class A biosolids for sale and provide an alternative fuel to replace coal in production of cement at a nearby plant.

Exeter said it plans to use landfill gas to power the dryer.

Pennsylvania State University and Crawford County Cooperative Extension will also receive some cash from the state, getting $600,000 to install an anaerobic digester and an associated engine-generator at the Bortnick Dairy of Conneautville.

The system is expected to produce 247,840 kilowatt hours of electricity per month processing waste from 1,800 cows, as well as dog food residues from a nearby dog food processing plant.

Including the projects announced today, Energy Harvest has invested almost $26 million and leveraged $66 million in private investments, according to the governor's office.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Generating energy underwater from good vibrations
• Indian companies order 300MW in wind power
• Beijing meets "blue sky days" target early
• Finland, Vietnam launch fish fuel project

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed