Bortnick Dairy project receives $600,000 state grant

Funds will support new electric generation process

An electric generation project at Bortnick Dairy recently was awarded a $600,000 Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection, according to state Senator Bob Robbins and state Representative John Evans.

Penn State Crawford County Cooperative Extension sponsored the grant for this project, which also involved the expansion of the farm operation near Conneautville.

Bortnick Dairy plans to use some of its waste material along with dog food residue from the Dad's Dog Food processing plant near Meadville as fuel for an anaerobic digester and associated engine-generator that will produce 247,840 kWh of electricity per month.

"This is a true win-win situation for our community," said Senator Robbins. "This grant will help provide modern equipment that will reuse waste materials to create energy for Bortnick Dairy and the excess will go into the power system. This helps our environment while providing a new source for electricity."

"I am pleased that the state is making this significant investment in our region," Representative Evans said. "These improvements will not only help Bortnick Dairy, but improve water quality in the area and that will benefit the neighbors as well."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322