Pa Conservation Grants Announced

(WILLIAMSPORT) Sen. Gene Yaw has announced that several organizations across the 23rd Senatorial District will be receiving grants from the PA Conservation Works Program.

According to Yaw, these funds are being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of the 2009 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in making the announcement, indicated that this program is designed to assist local government and non-profit organizations in funding energy efficiency projects that result in a minimum of 25 percent conservation of all energy used.

The recipients are:

Susquehanna County — $100,000: The Susquehanna County Commissioners are proposing to upgrade the Courthouse facility in order to achieve significant energy savings. The specific work will involve rezoning areas of the Courthouse, installation of new equipment and piping, and installation of energy efficient window panels. This will allow the County to cease utilization of an outdated coal furnace. The project will result in approximately 45 percent energy conservation for Susquehanna County and will allow energy cost savings and reduction of environmental emissions. The funding request is for $100,000 through the PA Conservation Works program, with Susquehanna County contributing a local match of $17,075.

Gregg Township Municipal Authority, Union County, — $250,000: The Gregg Township Municipal Authority Energy Efficiency Improvement Project was designed with water and energy efficiency as primary goals to keep the lifetime costs of operating the facility and its key components (i.e., pumping facilities, air blowers, etc.) to a minimum. All feasible energy and water efficiency features were incorporated into the project. The overall energy consumption of the WWTP will decrease by 25 percent or more, with a 67.5 percent efficiency increase of specific system process upgrades. The project includes upgrades to the existing treatment plant headworks, air diffusers, aeration blowers, and SCADA system; and replacement of the utility water system. Approximately 617,000 kWh of electricity will be saved which is valued at $64,140.

Towanda Municipal Authority, Bradford County, — $413,760: The Towanda and Wysox Municipal Authorities Energy Efficiency Improvement Project combines energy conservation, renewable energy generation and strategic energy planning to control costs for the sewage treatment system owned and operated by the Towanda Municipal Authority. The project will save 30 percent, representing 260,631 kWh, of the energy usage for the facilities upgraded. The project is an upgrade to the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) aeration system. Process controls and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) will be added to new high efficiency blowers. An effluent reuse geothermal heat pump will be added to the lab building. A 7 KW solar array will be installed at the Wysox 2 pump station. To further its energy management strategy, TMA is proposing a comprehensive energy assessment of its sludge digestion and sewage conveyance systems. The project is projected to create 4 jobs and retain 5 jobs.

Bucknell University, Union County, — $250,000 — Bucknell will replace the two air handling units serving the two main dining facilities in the Elaine Langone Center. The project will also upgrade the dining areas to a variable air volume (VAV) system with occupancy monitoring to optimize energy use. This system meets the latest design standards for efficiency, occupancy, comfort, and safety. The project is expected to reduce energy consumption by 70.2 percent, representing 5,580 MMBtu of combined energy and $101,000 annually.

“I congratulate the recipients on their aggressiveness on pursuing this funding opportunity and other grants that may be available in order to enhance their energy efficiencies within their organizations,” Yaw said.

Contact: Arnie Kriner
1-800-443-5772 or 570-322-6457

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