HARRISBURG (Newsradio 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) – Governor Wolf announced an energy initiative that will produce nearly 50 percent of state government’s electricity through seven new solar energy arrays totaling 191-megawatts to be built around the state.
The initiative is part of Wolf’s GreenGov, Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy) will go into operation on January 1, 2023.
This is the largest solar commitment by any government in the U.S. to date.
“In issuing the GreenGov challenge, I charged state government with leading by example in demonstrating sustainable governance and lowering greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the risks of climate change in Pennsylvania,” Governor Wolf said. “This included significantly reducing energy use and pursuing an ambitious goal of obtaining at least 40 percent of electricity from clean energy generated in state. I commend General Services for their GreenGov leadership in not only meeting this goal but exceeding it.
“Pennsylvania has been a national energy leader for more than one hundred years. As we continue to diversify our grid with clean renewable sources of energy, we want to maintain Pennsylvania’s leadership position and bring the associated economic, health and environmental benefits to all Pennsylvanians. As Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard – which has driven solar and renewable development for the past decade and a half – sunsets at the end of May, we need more of the innovative, resourceful thinking demonstrated in this project to keep the market for clean renewable energy strong in the commonwealth."
The solar arrays wills be built in Columbia, Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and York.
The solar arrays are projected to deliver 361,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, supplying 100 percent of electricity for 434 accounts across 16 state agencies, or about half the electricity used by state government.
The project will create over 400 jobs and lower carbon dioxide emissions throughout the state by 157,800 metric tons each year – the equivalent of taking 34,000 cars off the roads.