In the News

During visit to Bucks County, Obama says renewable energy essential to nation's future

The Philadelphia Inquirer Wednesday, April 06, 2011

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on President Barack Obama's visit to a Gamesa wind-turbine factory in the Philadelphia suburb of Fairless Hills.

Obama was at the wind-turbine factory to push his administration's goal to reduce U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025 and to get 80 percent of the nation's electricity from clean sources by 2035.

"These are not your father's windmills," Obama told about 400 workers and guests, with a wind-turbine hub and gear box looming behind him. "You guys are not messing around. This is the future of American energy."

Original source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
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People who live near Three Mile Island not afraid of nuclear power plants

National Journal Wednesday, March 16, 2011

While Japan fights to prevent disaster at nuclear plants that were in the path of an earthquake and tsunami, American apprehension about nuclear power has been renewed. But that's not the case near Three Mile Island, the National Journal reports.

Interviews with many of the town�s residents reveal that most of them rarely give the plant � whose silos and plumes of steam are visible on the horizon � a second thought, even in the wake of the nuclear crisis in Japan. Terri Herr, 43, a waitress at a local diner, was in fifth grade in March 1979. Her words summed up the feelings of many: �I was scared then, but it doesn�t scare me anymore.�

Original source: National Journal
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PA Peanut Power: Planters hits highway in peanut-shaped truck fueled by biodiesel

The New York Times Wednesday, March 02, 2011

The New York Times reports that a peanut-shaped truck built for Planters Peanuts, which was founded and headquartered in Wilkes-Barre for 36 years ending in 1961 and includes floorboards taken from a Lancaster barn, will tour the country, powered by peanut-based biodiesel.

The Nutmobile's unmodified diesel engine will run on up to 20 percent biodiesel fuel and return 10 to 15 miles per gallon, Mr. Riseborough said. Energy captured and converted by the wind turbine and solar panel drive an alternator that recharges batteries for the vehicle�s interior lighting and sound system.

"This form of advertising has really taken off," Joe Doyon, Turtle Transit's general manager, said in a telephone interview. "The advent of camera phones means that vehicles like the Nutmobile get photographed a lot."

Original source: New York Times
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Home builder debuts net-zero energy house near Pittsburgh

SmartPlanet Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Builder S&A Homes built a house in suburban Pittsburgh that generates as much energy as it uses, SmartPlanet reports.

The test home, tucked away in the Cobblestone Estates development in Ohio Township in the Pittsburgh suburbs, is a logical extension of S&A�s E-Home, an efficient (but not net-zero) design it debuted in 2009.

The E-Home promised to cut monthly energy bills by $150, through ultra-efficient windows, fluorescent lighting, advanced HVAC systems, recycled materials and, of course, its inherent design.

The Lab Home takes that a step further, with a horizontal loop ground source heat pump system, 8-in. thick exterior walls filled with R-40 insulation and solar panels.

Original source: SmartPlanet
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Oklahoma natural gas company opening two Northeast PA offices and expects to start hiring

The Times Leader Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Times Leader reports that Williams Energy, based in Tulsa, Okla., plans to open at least two Scranton-area offices and is likely to hire nearly three dozen workers.

Williams has 17 employees on staff working locally and could grow to 50 by year�s end and possibly 100 by 2014, said (spokeswoman Helen) Humphreys, who is among the 17. She said positions include gathering technicians, operations supervisors, safety representatives, environmental specialists, corrosion technicians, operations engineers, compression specialists, measurement specialists, land men, construction managers and planners/schedulers.

Original source: The Times Leader
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During visit to Happy Valley, Obama urges tax incentives, energy efficiency

The New York Times Wednesday, February 09, 2011

The New York Times reports on President Obama's recent visit to Penn State, during which he toured labs and gave a speech promoting government investment in infrastructure and clean energy.

�Innovation has also flourished because we, as a nation, have invested in the success of these individual entrepreneurs,� the president said. �In America, innovation isn�t just how we change our lives. It�s how we make a living.�

Mr. Obama acknowledged that the tax credits he wants to provide would drain money from the Treasury. He received his largest applause when he reiterated his call for Congress to eliminate tax breaks for oil companies.

Original source: The New York Times
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Canadian company plans $800M clean-coal power plant in Schuylkill County

The Republican-Herald Wednesday, February 09, 2011

The Republican-Herald reports that EmberClear, based in Alberta, Canada, expects to build a massive clean-coal power plant near Pottsville, leading to 100 permanent jobs.

Experts believe the proposed technology at EmberClear's planned plant -- dubbed the Good Spring Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, or Good Spring IGCC -- represents the future.

"This is certainly one of the ways forward for cleaner coal with higher efficiencies and definite ways of moving forward to replace some of the 30-year-old coal plants we have that are really showing their age," said Jonathan Matthews, an assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering at Penn State University. "I would say that there is some room for competing technology, (but) IGCC is probably the frontrunner in many peoples' minds."

Original source: The Republican-Herald
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Rendell leaves governor's mansion, returns to Philly law firm

The Wall Street Journal Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Gov. Ed Rendell has returned to his old law firm in Philadelphia. He also plans to write a book and push for investment in infrastructure.

Mr. Rendell is rejoining his old law firm, Ballard Spahr LLP in Philadelphia, where he said he�ll advise clients on a wide array of issues, including energy, higher education, health care and public-private partnerships for infrastructure investment.

Original source: The Wall Street Journal
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Coal is still king in PA, but alternative energy, deregulation are changing the landscape

The Philadelphia Inquirer Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Coal provides more than half of Pennsylvania's electricity, but the growth of alternative power sources and deregulation of electric utilities is altering the energy landscape, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

At play in the energy debate is geography. On one side: the state's still-thriving coal towns, largely in the southwest. On the other: former industrial regions, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, that after decades of job loss see fresh economic opportunity. At a former U.S. Steel site in Bucks County, for example, a wind-turbine manufacturer employs 265.

But deregulation of the electricity market makes the battle relevant to all Pennsylvanians. It has given them more choice over who supplies their electricity, and how much of it -- if any -- they want to come from alternative sources such as solar and wind power.

Original source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Obama: Business owner from southwestern PA illustrates American Dream

CNN Wednesday, January 26, 2011

CNN writes about Brandon Fisher, whose business in southwestern PA makes drilling equipment and who was honored during President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday for his role in rescuing 33 men trapped in a Chilean mine.

Fisher became involved in the rescue effort when the company that distributes his custom-made drills in Chile put the Chilean government in touch with him. Eventually Fisher's drill bits widened the hole leading to the miners to a size that allowed them to be extracted from underground one at a time in a specially designed cage.

Original source: CNN
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Legal firm adds attorneys to focus on energy law

The Legal Intelligencer Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Legal Intelligencer reports that law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, which has offices across the state, has hired five attorneys who specialize in traditional and renewable sources of energy.

When it comes to energy and the Keystone State, utilities have been less of a focus than has renewable energy and natural gas. Pennsylvania -- particularly in the western and northeastern parts of the state -- has been a hotbed for firms looking to get a piece of the Marcellus Shale pie. A number of out-of-state firms have opened or grown offices in Pittsburgh and homegrown firms have added depth in their energy, corporate and litigation practices, all related to the growth of the natural gas industry in the state.

Original source: The Legal Intelligencer
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Gov. Corbett appoints advisor to focus on energy policy

The Daily Review Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Daily Review reports that Gov. Tom Corbett has appointed an advisor to coordinate energy policy.

(Patrick) Henderson has been director of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White, R-21, Oil City.

"This is one person whose job it is to develop and coordinate energy policy," said Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley.

The drilling boom for natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale formation is one reason why this job is being created, he added. But Mr. Henderson's portfolio will cover policies concerning clean coal technology, nuclear power and alternate energy as well.

Original source: The Daily Review
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Farm Show Complex full of energy-saving additions

Reading Eagle Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Reading Eagle reports that this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show is taking place in a venue with new energy-saving features, from a wind turbine to aerators on faucets.

Over the past nine months, the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex has gone through a $3.6 million upgrade designed to save on energy and money.

All told, the upgrades are expected to save Pennsylvania more than $300,000 a year, said Patrick J. Kerwin, executive director.

Energy improvements will also save 1,650 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, he said.

Original source: Reading Eagle
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Penn State to build wind turbine and demonstrate how wind can power schools

Centre Daily Times Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Penn State plans to build a new wind turbine, conduct research on it and help Pennsylvania schools build their own turbines, the Centre Daily Times reports.

Penn State is part of a group of five states participating in the latest U.S. Department of Energy�s Wind Powering America program. The university will not only be collecting data from the turbine it�s installing, but will be working with K-12 schools across the state that want to set up their own small-scale turbines to provide hands-on learning for students.

Original source: Centre Daily Times
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Researchers develop methane-producing microorganism that could turn biomass into energy

The Vancouver Sun Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Vancouver Sun reports that scientists, including researchers at Penn State, have created a microorganism that produces methane. This could mean a new way to convert biomass to energy.

They introduced a gene into the DNA of the methanogen. The gene caused it to express an enzyme that breaks down esters, which are found in nature and are also used as solvents for paints and paint thinners.

The researchers found that the altered DNA allowed the methanogen, whose name is M. acetivorans, to consume the esters and produce methane from them.

In simple terms, they've expanded the number of items that the organism can eat without waiting for other organisms to partially digest it for them. Then they burp up methane as they digest the new stuff.

Original source: The Vancouver Sun
Read the full story here.

Energy : In the News