The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will introduce a new $5 million initiative in order to fund renewable energy projects throughout the state. The initiative is called Pennsylvania Energy Harvest, and was started with the help of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The goal of the program is to provide funding for wind installations, small-scale solar power systems, and biomass projects.

The initiative was unveiled at the Rocky Knoll Farm, a 4,500-head hog farm that uses an anaerobic digester, which generates power from hog manure. According to the DEP, the farm earns about $3,500 a month from this energy facility.

— by J.J. Siegel

Publication date: 06/23/2003