The federal monies will be combined with $22 million in private investment. Under Pennsylvania's Green Energy Works Biogas program, alternative sources will provide energy to homes and businesses in the commonwealth, lowering carbon emissions in the process. Rendell's office estimates that the projects will generate the equivalent of 3.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas and offset 237,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
"Farmers, food processors and local governments will now be able to better deal with various forms of waste material [and] use that waste to generate electricity," Rendell said.
All eight of the projects being funded will generate and trap biogas. Some, like Derry Township Municipal Authority's, will capture gas produced by trash and burn it to generate electricity. Others, like the one belonging to Ideal Family Farms, will trap gas from manure and generate electricity with it.
Earlier in December, Governor Rendell's office announced that it would use $12 million of stimulus monies for a revolving loan fund. The fund will be available for energy efficiency and green energy projects in the commonwealth.
