Pennsylvania ethanol plant to dramatically reduce noise, emissions

In Pennsylvania, a proposed ethanol plant will use next-generation techniques to mitigate noise, improve air quality, and use more renewable fuel sources in its process. The 60 Mgy Northeast Ethanol and Renewable Resources ethanol plant will reduce atmospheric emissions by more than 90 percent, use 25 percent less thermal energy and 50 percent less water , and reduce noise at 100 feet to the level of a television.

Residents’ coalitions have been active in Pennsylvaina. A proposed plant in Lancaster County met with stiff local opposition and the site was shifted by the project developer.

Recently, Gov. Rendell reintroduced the Pennsylvania energy plan to a joint session of the state legislature. The centerpiece is a $850 million Energy Independence Fund, funded by a bond issue. $500 million would be invested in clean-energy projects such as biofuel plants and solar and advanced coal technologies, $100 million granted to Pennsylvania firms expanding clean-energy production, and money for grants to partly reimburse homeowners and small businesses for installation of solar panels, energy-efficient air-conditioners, refrigerators, and smart electricity meters. The bond would be paid off with a new energy utility tax.

The Pennsylvania plan sets a 1 billion gallon per year production target for 2017. Recently, Pennsylvania has seen biofuels plants in Lancaster experience resident protests and seen the state biodiesel business collapse through an inability to compete with Indiana subsidies.

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