Solar panels have been installed for the microgrid, which is scheduled to become operable in early 2026.
“The PA Turnpike has been an innovator for 85 years, finding new ways to adopt technologies that enhance customer safety, sustainability and reliability,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Our commitment to sustainability and finding ways to support responsible stewardship continues to guide every decision we make as we advance the PA Turnpike into the future.”
The microgrid, which operates in conjunction with a natural gas generator as a backup, will be the second of its kind that the PA Turnpike has built.
The Greensburg District Maintenance Shed, located on the Amos K. Hutchison Bypass (PA Toll 66) in Jeanette, is also powered by a massive solar array.
A tolling industry first when it became operational in 2021, the Greensburg microgrid saves the PA Turnpike more than $400,000 a year by selling energy back to the grid.
The PA Turnpike is also working on a plan for 15 solar generation facilities on PA Turnpike-owned land adjacent to its roadway.
“Harnessing the power of the sun reduces our carbon footprint and strengthens infrastructure resiliency,” said Director of Facilities Operations Keith Jack. “We are continuously working to build an organization-wide culture of sustainability where all decisions consider our economic, environmental, and social impacts.”
The PA Turnpike is the only agency in the Commonwealth to achieve a perfect score from the PA GreenGov Council and has done so for four consecutive years.
The score is based on a set of approximately 100 standards, grouped into 20 key areas covering achievements such as reducing energy consumption by three percent, improved fleet vehicle efficiency, active employee culture and engagement initiatives.
The PA Turnpike has set a goal to become America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040.
Other key sustainability initiatives include:
-- Developing, installing and supporting a planned stationary Inductive Charging Showcase at its Central Administration Building in Middletown.
-- Continuing to lay a 550-mile fiber optic broadband network.
-- Installed 63 EV chargers at eight service plazas to help meet customers’ demand for electric vehicles, with plans for 80 more EV charging stations to be added to each of the PA Turnpike’s 17 service plazas by 2027 (at least four at each).
-- Planted six pollinator habitats across the Pennsylvania Turnpike system, with more than 40 more in development along interchanges, services plazas and rights of way
For more than three decades, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has made environmental stewardship and sustainability a top priority.
It was the first state agency to achieve three, consecutive 100% scores from the Commonwealth’s GreenGov Council.
Its sustainability and stormwater management programs earned three IBTTA Toll Excellence Awards for Social Responsibility.
Visit the PA Turnpike’s Sustainability webpage for more information.
Click Here for a copy of the PA Turnpike announcement.
Related Articles This Week:
-- PUC Chairman: Model Tariff For Connecting A.I. Data Centers To Local Electric Grid To Be Published For Comment By End Of September [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports 2nd Quarter Increase In Natural Gas Production, New Wells And 60.8% Increase In Price Of Gas Over Last Year [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: Rising Natural Gas Prices Expected To Drive Up Electricity Costs
-- New Study Shows Schools In Pennsylvania Could Save Over $342 Million Over 25 Years By Using Solar Energy; Dauphin & Cumberland County Schools Could Save $26 Million [PaEN]
-- PA Turnpike Building Solar Microgrid At New Stanton Regional Office, State Police Troop T Barrack In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Southwest PA Environmental Advocates Urge Bigger Voice For Renewable Energy At A.I. Horizons Summit In Pittsburgh On Sept. 11 [PaEN]
-- Water At Risk: What Is Your Township's Plan For A.I. Data Centers? Sept. 15 Hearing In Tobyhanna Twp., Monroe County - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
-- Protecting Clean Water Together: Electric Bills Increased 10-20% Since June - Community Solar Could Be A Solution - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
-- PUC Commissioners Urge PA Congressional Delegation To Support Low-Income Energy Assistance - LIHEAP [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: A.I. Horizons Summit Sept. 11-12 With Tech And Energy Execs, Political Heavyweights [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s Labor Leaders Say They’re Ready For US Steel, A.I. Data Center Investments, Will The Money Come Through?
-- Scranton Times: State Lawmakers Hear Potential Impacts Of A.I. Data Centers At Scranton Hearing
-- WNEP: State Lawmakers Held Roundtable Discussion On Proposed A.I. Data Centers In Scranton
-- York Dispatch: Is A.I. Data Center Demand Too Much For A Delicate Electricity Grid In PA? York County Is A Fertile Area For Data Center Development [PDF of Article]
-- PA Capital-Star/Public Source: A.I. Data Center Growth Raises Pittsburgh-Area Hopes, But Community Benefits Aren’t Guaranteed
-- WITF: PA Lawmakers Look Underground For Geothermal Alternative To Cool A.I. Data Centers
-- Inquirer: Why This PA-Based Builder Is Shifting To A.I. Data Centers
-- The Center Square: A.I. Ethics: Bridging The Gap Between Public Concern And Global Pursuit
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Democratic PA House Members Propose Reduction In Nuclear Reactor Fees Paid To DEP To Support Radiation Monitoring, Inspections, Oversight Based On Reactor Size [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette: PennEnvironment Releases Report Detailing $21 Million In Potential Energy Savings If Allegheny County Schools Go Solar Energy
-- Morning Call: Solar Panels On Lehigh Valley Schools Could Save $17.4 Million
-- Erie Times: Solar Panels On PA Schools Could Save Districts Cash, New Report Outlines How Much
-- WESA: Allegheny County Schools Lead The State In Potential For Solar Energy Generation, Advocates Report
-- Utility Dive: DOE: PJM Faces Possible Long-Term ‘Energy Emergency;’ Consumer Advocates Say A ‘Concern’ Is Not An ‘Emergency’
[Posted: September 4, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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