LEWISTOWN - Gov. Ed Rendell announced Renewable Energy Partners Inc. will receive an $850,000 grant sponsored by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority Wednesday in Harrisburg, which will be utilized in building a solar energy farm in Lewistown Borough.
Stephen Mitnick, of the private solar energy company based in Penn Valley, said it will provide great opportunities for Lewistown residents to save money on their utility bills as the solar farm will produce energy for the Lewistown Sewer Treatment Plant. Mitnick said the farm will yield more energy as well as reduce the demand charge for the Treatment Plant, adding "taxpayers end up saving more money and that money can be put toward needs throughout the Township."
Mitnick said this project will also go a long way in protecting the environment as it can reduce carbon emissions by more than 50,000 tons.
The Lewistown Borough Council is supporting the mission toward clean energy as they signed a non-binding agreement for this solar farm in August; The Sentinel reported on this agreement last month.
Rob Postal, of Mifflin County Industrial Development Corp., said a location for the 1.8-megawatt, 12.5-acre project, has yet to be determined.
The project is expected to begin by the end of the calendar year, Mitnick said.
Mitnick said at the ceremony, Gov. Rendell spoke of the need for Pennsylvania to further incorporate solar energy within the framework of the state's energy plans.
According to a press release, Gov. Rendell talked about the benefits of moving toward clean energy, saying "they benefit Pennsylvania's consumers by generating and saving electricity, driving down utility prices, making additional projects more affordable and feasible, while stimulating the economy by creating manufacturing and employment opportunities, attracting private investments and making our environment cleaner."
The release states Rendell also made it clear that expanding the criteria for the 2004 enacted Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio would be in the best interest of the state.
Pennsylvania's current solar share requirement is 0.5 percent, however other states such as Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware have far greater shares, according to the release. The release said Rendell would like to see a greater share, otherwise it will be difficult for future clean energy projects such as this one to be considered.
Mitnick said the low percentage of solar standards in the state inhibits companies such as his own to sponsor the project independently, thus creating onus on the state to provide grants such as the one they received Wednesday.
"We wouldn't have had the money to do this," Mitnick said. "The grant allows us to make this project a reality. We look forward to working with the Lewistown Borough, Council President Jim Felmlee and Borough Manager David Frey."
