The federal government is boosting Pennsylvania’s solar energy footprint by providing $90 million to develop the largest solar project in the state on reclaimed mine land.
The solar project in Clearfield County is set to be almost twice the size of the current large solar project in operation. It is expected to generate over 400 megawatts of electricity, which is sufficient to power approximately 70,000 homes.
According to Matt Birchby, president of Swift Current Energy, the Department of Energy has awarded “tens of millions of dollars” to their subsidiary, Mineral Basin Solar Power. This funding is set to be invested in Goshen and Girard Townships, bringing significant economic growth to the area.
In addition, the company has pledged to donate $200,000 annually to community funds in Clearfield County, with the aim of supporting local projects and initiatives.
According to a press release from the Department of Energy, this initiative aims to enhance the availability of clean energy in the region and address the significant gap in electricity generation caused by the closure of the Homer City coal plant. The project foresees the creation of over 750 construction jobs and six operational positions, benefiting the local communities. Additionally, it is estimated that the project will generate $1.1 million in annual tax revenue for Goshen and Girard townships, Clearfield County, and the Clearfield County School District.
The federal government has allocated $475 million for five projects on former mine lands, with three of them located in Appalachia. Among these projects, Bell County in Kentucky will receive $81 million for a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility, while Nicholas County in West Virginia will receive $129 million for a 250 megawatt solar project.
The federal government has shifted its focus towards reusing existing sites as it realizes the benefits of avoiding the need to clear a new location and expediting the process.
According to a press release, developing clean energy projects on mine land offers a promising economic alternative to using untouched natural and agricultural land. The release also highlights that mine land is often situated near crucial infrastructure, making it well-suited for clean energy development. The projects selected for this award have the potential to be replicated and expanded on the vast expanse of current and former U.S. mine land.
Mineral Basin Solar Power believes that Clearfield County’s abandoned mines present a unique opportunity for the development of solar energy. They are committed to forming lasting partnerships with schools and local organizations, aiming to invest in economic and community development. Furthermore, the company is dedicated to promoting workforce development in disadvantaged communities through its collaboration with an organization.
According to Birchby, the conversions of mining land serve as a blueprint for upcoming projects and have the potential to enhance investment in the workforce.
According to him, the project will also enhance investment opportunities for the workforce and members of the Northern Appalachian community.
Birchby mentioned that Mineral Basin intends to collaborate with Clearfield County Community Technical Center, Penn State University, and the local development agency Clearly Ahead.
and a scholarship fund that covers 24 counties in the region.
However, it is important to carefully examine these partnerships to ensure that they actually lead to positive outcomes. Previous efforts to retrain workers have not been successful.
A $4 million program aimed at retraining unemployed coal miners, funded by both the state and federal government, faced significant obstacles and ultimately failed to make progress due to bureaucratic delays and state regulations.
Federal officials have acknowledged their past failures, but they assure us that this time, things will be different.
According to David Turk, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now mandates that organizations receiving federal funding must outline a community benefits plan.
The federal government aims to incorporate benefits and job training by actively collaborating with local leaders, colleges, and apprentice programs. Their goal is to ensure that the process is conducted in the most effective manner possible, while also leveraging the knowledge and expertise of local communities.
Turk emphasized that the funding process has undergone significant changes, with a particular focus on incorporating a new approach. He acknowledged that this approach is not something that has been commonly practiced in the past. However, it is now considered a crucial component of the funding strategy.
To ensure coordination among the Departments of Energy, Labor, and Commerce, as well as the EPA and Treasury, the federal government is working diligently.
Brian Anderson, the executive director of the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, emphasized the exceptional collaboration among various agencies in recent years. He highlighted the formation of a rapid response team comprising 11 agencies, dedicated to addressing all aspects of the workforce job supply chain. Anderson stressed that investments and job opportunities are crucial for training workers effectively.
According to him, previous attempts have been unsuccessful in aligning jobs and worker training.
Anderson believes that in the past, there has been a missing link between the investment, job opportunities, and workforce training.
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