March 26, 2025 - Williamsburg, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) Secretary Russell Redding visited Penn England Farms in Blair County to highlight how the Governor's "Lightning Plan" - a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy plan to secure Pennsylvania's energy future - would lower energy costs for farmers and rural communities all across the Commonwealth. Penn England Farms, a family-owned dairy operation, uses an on-site manure digester to convert waste into clean energy - reducing nearly 40,000 metric tons of pollution each year while powering the farm and contributing excess energy to the grid. Since building their digester in 2006, Penn England has saved $1.6 million in energy costs - nearly $90,000 on average each year. Under Governor Shapiro's plan, more farms could access this technology through his community energy proposal, allowing multiple farmers to share a digester, cut costs, and sell excess energy back to the grid. List of Speakers:Yvette Longenecker, owner of Penn England FarmsCommissioner Laura BurkeMark Heeter, President of the Blair County Farm BureauSteven McKnight, President and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development CorporationSecretary Russell Redding Governor Josh Shapiro
An Official Pennsylvania Government Website