Crawford County Project Receives $896,400 Grant

Biomass production facility will create 90 jobs for Meadville area

A proposed Crawford County alternative fuel production facility received an $896,400 state grant, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

Ernst Biomass LLC received the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to build a facility on Mercer Pike in Union Township.

Senator Robbins touted the benefits of the new facility in a letter of support to state Secretary of Environmental Protection John Hanger.

"A limited supply of wood materials for the production of fuel pellets and an increase in demand has created a market for alternative fuel materials. The proposed Ernst Biomass facility will produce switchgrass fuel in pellets and briquette form for use in stoves and furnaces," Senator Robbins said. "This emerging market has potential for rapid growth as homeowners and industry turn toward renewable sources of fuel for their energy needs. The facility is expected to create 90 full- and part-time jobs and will greatly benefit the Meadville area."

The plant is projected to produce 24,000 tons of switchgrass-derived fuel annually, replacing the equivalent of 2.4 million gallons of heating oil. This is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000 metric tons each year.

The products of the $2 million processing facility can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from industrial furnaces to small pellet stoves. The facility could be operational as early as this winter.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322