EDINBORO — Gov. Ed Rendell recently announced that Edinboro University of Pennsylvania will receive $474,000 for a 210-kilowatt solar array to be constructed atop McComb Fieldhouse. In addition to generating electricity for the university, the array will allow Edinboro to market and sell solar renewable energy credits.
The grant “underscores, reinforces and once again justifies our confidence and commitment to reusable energy in all forms. At Edinboro, we want to be green in more than mere words. We strive to be green in all we do,” said Edinboro President Jeremy D. Brown.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials said the Edinboro project, part of $9.5 million in federal economic stimulus funding to be spent on eight solar projects in Pennsylvania, will create 10 skilled labor jobs.
“This investment is critically important to strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy, not only because of the private capital it will attract and the jobs it will create, but because of the great economic potential the renewable energy industry holds for our state,” Rendell said of all eight solar projects.
Slated for completion by September 2010, the Edinboro array’s .21-megawatt solar capacity will not only annually generate 227 megawatt hours of electricity, but also reduce carbon emissions by some 272 tons.
The Green Energy Works! solar program, announced by the DEP and Gov. Rendell’s office, is one component of statewide competitive grant initiatives that use “green” jobs to create “green” energy while stimulating state, regional and local economic development.
“At Edinboro, we all take pride in the many initiatives we’ve launched toward energy conservation and reduction,” Brown said. “All have resulted not just in the energy savings, cost efficiency and solid monetary savings, but also on offsetting carbon emissions by countless tons.”
For example, Brown pointed to the multi-million-dollar/multi-year energy reduction and conservation partnership between Edinboro and Honeywell Building Solutions that has been ongoing since 2007, resulting in guaranteed cost and energy savings campuswide.
“It’s also important to note that the new solar array is in addition to the many geothermal wells being drilled for the heating and cooling at all new and renovation campus building projects,” Brown said.
Rendell, in announcing the statewide grants, said that since solar power is an increasingly important part of Pennsylvania’s electricity generation capacity, it becomes equally important for the state’s economy.
“That’s why we’ve made an earnest commitment to ensuring more solar projects, solar manufacturers, and related industries establish operations here. We’re now on track to be one of the top five states for producing solar energy by the end of the year.”
Local News
Edinboro University gets grant for solar power
- Local News
-
-
Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
As Crawford County child abuse numbers rank among the most disturbing in the state, officials of local courts and agencies are busy finding ways to increase public awareness of child abuse and its prevention.
-
Ice would be nice for upcoming fishing tournaments
The 2012 Conneaut Lake Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 25, but organizer Jerry Van Tassel isn’t holding his breath when it comes to running the event as planned.
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.
-
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.
-
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Community agencies planning Children's Fair for April
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
