Growing PA Alternative Energy Industry Will Provide Consumers,
Businesses With Choice; Economic Savings
FALLS TOWNSHIP, Pa., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward
G. Rendell today unveiled plans for the construction of a new solar energy
power station that will be the fourth-largest facility of its kind in the
country and the largest east of Arizona when operations begin next April.
"This major announcement shows that affordable, secure and alternative
sources of power are available now and will result in a cleaner
environment, competitive energy prices and the reduction of our dependence
on foreign fuel," said Governor Rendell. "In the next few years, consumers
and businesses across the state are expected to encounter dramatic energy
cost increases. In order to avoid economic hardship on our families and
businesses and we must act now.
"With the introduction of new, reliable alternative energy choices for
Pennsylvania's consumers, we will empower our citizens and businesses to
take control of escalating utility bills by adjusting usage to take
advantage of lower, off-peak rates; encourage energy efficiency; use new,
clean electricity generation and invest in Pennsylvania's home-grown
energy," the Governor said.
Speaking today at the project site, Governor Rendell announced that
Exelon Generation Company LLC has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement
for the energy produced at a new solar energy generation plant with EPURON
LLC, a subsidiary the world's largest solar integration company Conergy AG.
Plans call for more than 16,500 solar panels to be built on 16.5-acres,
adjacent to Waste Management's GROWS Landfill, capturing the sun's rays and
converting them into electricity.
Upon completion, the plant will produce approximately 3,700 megawatt
hours of power, enough to meet the annual energy requirements of 300-350
homes. At this output, emission levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide
that directly contribute to pollution and acid rain will be reduced by the
equivalent benefit of planting 33 acres of trees every year.
"Not only are projects like this good for the environment, but they are
creating new economic opportunities, creating thousands of new jobs in
every corner of the state and putting Pennsylvania on the forefront of the
developing renewable energy industry," said Governor Rendell.
Pennsylvania's aggressive energy policies attracted Conergy to the
commonwealth, spurring the company to invest $100 million in projects that
are improving the economy and creating new jobs. Conergy officials cite the
opportunities created under Governor Rendell's Alternative Energy Portfolio
Standards as among the reasons for selecting Pennsylvania to be its North
American base.
Since enacting the Governor's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards
Act in 2004, Pennsylvania has become a leading international destination
for projects that are helping to meet our energy demands in ways that also
protect the environment. The energy portfolio ensures that 18 percent of
all energy generated in the state comes from clean, efficient sources by
2021.
In July, Governor Rendell and the General Assembly took steps to
strengthen the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, clarifying the
amount of clean, solar energy that must be produced and sold in
Pennsylvania. This requirement means that by 2021, another 850 megawatts of
solar power will be generated in Pennsylvania.
EPURON GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is one of the world's
leading project development and structured finance companies in the
renewable energy sector. With new offices in Philadelphia, EPURON has
helped to strengthen the rapid growth of the U.S. solar energy market along
with its sister company SunTechnics, Conergy's engineering and installation
arm.
"EPURON is excited about this landmark photovoltaic project," said
Arndt E. Lutz, EPURON general manager. This project will launch
utility-scale solar power plants in Pennsylvania and the entire Eastern
U.S. The array will be one of the largest in the country and is the result
of a successful partnership between Exelon Generation, Waste Management and
the EPURON / SunTechnics team, and a major step toward energy independence
and greenhouse gas reduction."
"This agreement adds another element to Exelon's renewable energy
portfolio," said John Rowe, Exelon Corporation's chairman, president and
CEO. "As the nation turns its attention toward cleaner energy sources, it's
essential that Exelon play a part. We believe there is a growing demand for
renewables, and we want to help meet that demand."
"Today's announcement is another step toward the development of
Pennsylvania's renewable energy sector and expansion of the state's energy
production," said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty.
"With the passage of the Governor's proposed Energy Independence Strategy,
projects like this will become a reality in communities across the state."
Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy will provide
Pennsylvania's energy consumers with the opportunity to collectively save
$10 billion over 10 years, attract $3.5 billion in new investments into the
economy and create an additional 13,000 jobs.
Governor Rendell has called for a special session of the legislature
beginning on Sept. 17 to work toward adoption of the Energy Independence
Strategy proposal. This fall the Governor and the General Assembly will
resume work to protect Pennsylvania's residents from skyrocketing utility
rates and grow Pennsylvania's alternative energy industry.
For more information on Governor Rendell's Energy Independence
Strategy, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
Contact: Barry Ciccocioppo, 717-783-1116 or Neil Weaver (DEP),
717-787-1323
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