May 30, 2024 - Georgetown, PA
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Jessica Shirley touted the potential economic and environmental benefits of building solar facilities on abandoned mine lands in Pennsylvania at a news conference at a newly operational solar farm in Beaver County.The new solar site, owned by Four Twelve Renewables, will partner with the Dollar Energy Fund to ensure proceeds from the site go towards helping to lower utility bills in low-income communities. Dollar Energy Fund helps to lower utility costs by providing grants to those who have nowhere else to turn because they are not eligible for government assistance, providing direct assistance to prevent termination and to restore service, and partnering with community-based agencies to provide additional resources that may benefit low-income households."So many communities, such as those here in Beaver County, or my hometown of McKeesport and all across southwestern and northeastern Pennsylvania, bear the scars of our state's mining and industrial past," said Lt. Gov. Davis. "As the steel plants or coal mines closed, those communities have often struggled to compete in the new economy, and local residents live in the shadow of brownfields or abandoned mine lands that can cause pollution. As we see more opportunities for investment in solar projects, Pennsylvania should be strategic about promoting sites that can be remediated and put to good use, generating clean energy, creating new jobs and providing additional tax revenues for local municipalities. The report we're releasing makes clear that former coal communities are assets and poised to be big winners as we transition to a clean energy economy."Speakers Include:John Markwell, board member of Four Twelve RenewablesLt. Gov. Austin DavisDEP Acting Secretary Jessica ShirleyState Sen. Elder VogelZabriawn Smith, executive director, Housing Opportunities of Beaver County
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