Published: January 28, 2009 11:22 pm      

Glendale’s grant to stoke clean heat

Glendale School District in Flinton will use a $350,000 state grant to take a step toward energy independence by installing a biomass-fired boiler system.

The money is being awarded under the Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Program, a grant program created by the Legislature in 2003 that helps school districts, local governments and other nonprofit agencies purchase and implement clean and renewable energy technologies.

In announcing the grant award Wednesday, state Rep. Gary Haluska said, “Instead of traditional fuel like oil or coal, a biomass-fired boiler uses alternative fuels such as untreated wood products and crops or waste from animals or food processing. These fuels are cleaner and better for the environment, which is important.

“But the greatest benefit of the biomass boiler is that it will increase energy efficiency for the school district and save the district – and district taxpayers – money by lowering heating and energy costs.” 

More information about this and other state-sponsored alternative-energy and energy-efficiency funding programs is available at the Department of Environmental Protection’s Web site: www.depweb.state.pa.us.