On May 16, the Commonwealth Financing Authority recently approved six new Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) project grants totalling $3,258,317 to bring natural gas service to households and businesses in Butler, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Luzerne counties.
“The PIPE program provides a lifeline to residents and businesses across the commonwealth by helping them tap into Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas resources,” Secretary Dennis Davin said. “In the end, this assistance allows residents and business owners to save money, create jobs, and lower emissions.”
Though Pennsylvania has a vast network of natural gas pipeline infrastructure, some areas require funding assistance to construct the “last mile” of pipeline to extend that network to business and residents.
PIPE provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas lines to business parks and existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents.
Applicants eligible for PIPE funding include businesses, economic development organizations, hospitals, municipalities, and school districts.
The approved projects include:
-- Butler County: Greg Young Excavating was approved for a $3,210 PIPE grant for the extension of natural gas service to their facility located in West Sunbury, Butler County.
Greg Young Excavating (GYE) recently built a 2,400-square-foot workshop that will be used to make repairs in a heated facility. GYE hopes to lower operating costs and at the same time use more clean energy.
By adding an additional building to repair and keep equipment maintained, additional employees could be hired as business expands and hopefully boost development in the area. The extension includes 250 feet of main line and 300 feet of service line constructed by National Fuel.
Additionally, the project will allow two additional small businesses to have access to the line.
The total project cost is $6,420, and GYE will contribute $3,210 in matching funds.
-- Cumberland County: EDC Finance Corporation was approved for a $1,042,589 PIPE grant for the installation of a natural gas pipeline in Mechanicsburg Borough, Cumberland County.
The proposed project will extend gas lines currently located on Simpson Ferry Road into the existing, fully-developed residential Orchard Crest/Allendale Road neighborhood. The gas line will provide service to 527 residential properties that are not currently served.
The approach main will pass by 250+ townhouses and apartments that will have the opportunity to convert to gas or are now better positioned to be included in future gas programs, and the main line will also pass a 185-acre parcel being developed as Landmark Homes at Cedar Run, which will include 506 residential lots.
The total project cost is $2,085,178, and UGI will contribute $1,042,589 in matching funds.
-- Dauphin County: EDC Finance Corporation was approved for a $262,685 PIPE grant for the extension of natural gas service to residential properties located in Lower Swatara Township, Dauphin County.
EDC Finance Corporation has partnered with UGI to extend natural gas to the Twelve Oaks/Ohara Lane residential neighborhood, which is interested in converting to natural gas.
The project will extend natural gas service 7,000 feet into the residential Twelve Oaks/Ohara neighborhoods to provide natural gas to 111 residential properties that are not currently served.
The total project cost is $525,370, and UGI will contribute $262,685 in matching funds.
-- Lancaster County:
-- EDC Finance Corporation was approved for a $207,916 PIPE grant for the extension of natural gas service to residential properties located in Manheim Township, Lancaster County.
EDC has partnered with UGI to extend natural gas to the Belair North/Bob White Lane residential community, which is interested in converting to natural gas.
The project will extend natural gas service 8,300 feet into the neighborhoods to provide natural gas to 154 residential properties that are not currently served.
The total project cost is $415,832, and UGI will contribute $207,916 in matching funds.
-- EDC Finance Corporation was approved for a $242,361 PIPE grant for the extension of natural gas service to residential properties located in Manheim Township, Lancaster County.
EDC has partnered with UGI to extend natural gas to the Village Park/Pebblebrook Drive residential community, which is interested in converting to natural gas.
The project will extend natural gas service 8,800 feet into the neighborhoods to provide natural gas to 194 residential properties that are not currently served.
The total project cost is $484,722, and UGI will contribute $242,361 in matching funds.
-- Luzerne County: Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund was approved for a $1,499,556 PIPE grant to install 20,600 feet of gas line in Dupont Borough, Luzerne County.
Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund is partnering with UGI to provide natural gas to 323 parcels, including eight commercial and 315 residential properties.
This is a three-phase project with Phase I complete and Phase II under construction. Phase Ill is the construction of 20,600 feet of natural gas distribution main along various streets within the borough.
The installation of the natural gas in Dupont Borough will help retain 35 jobs for existing commercial customers along the route and provide natural gas to a 36-unit housing facility called Dupont Housing for the Elderly which is being developed. These units will create up to seven new full-time jobs.
The total project cost is $2,999,113, and UGI will contribute $1,499,557 in matching funds.
Visit the CFA’s Pipeline Investment Program webpage for more information on the program.
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[Posted: May 16, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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