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Green Building Initiatives Among $11.2 Million in Pa. Grants

Geothermal, solar and wind installations are among the 24 projects in Pennsylvania that will receive a total of $11.2 million state grants.

Geothermal, solar and wind installations are among the 24 projects in Pennsylvania that will receive a total of $11.2 million state grants.

Approved by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, the grants cover biofuel production, carbon sequestration, green building technologies and energy efficiency projects.

Among the building grants, Friends Center Corp. in Philadelphia will receive $500,000 for a 1,500-foot-deep geothermal exchange well. The system is one of many renovations the Friends Center campus is undergoing with the goal of being a fossil-fuel-free site. The campus is also adding a solar array, a vegetative roof and underground cisterns for collecting and reusing rainwater.

Walnut Capital Acquisitions Inc. will receive $400,000 to install a 100 kW solar system, and Stable Flats LLC will receive $700,000 for a 235.4 kW solar photovoltaic system for the Stable Flats housing project, a LEED gold certified structure.

Phipps Conservatory and Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens Inc. was awarded $250,000 to help construction of a zero-net-energy education/research/administration center, which will utilize solar and on-site wind energy. It will also utilize anaerobic digesters, microorganisms that break down biodegradable materials, reducing the amount of waste and the amount of landfill gas emitted.

"With rising energy costs, uncertain supplies and political upheavals around the world, investing in home grown energy solutions is in America's best interest," said Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell.

All 24 of the projects are expected to eliminate 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, as well as reduce emissions of smog-producing pollutants by more than 15,000 tons and nitrogen oxide by 4,300 tons. Additionally, some of the projects will provide 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 320,000 homes.

The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority grants are available to organizations operating in Pennsylvania and businesses interested in locating advanced energy operations in the state.

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