Published: August 4, 2010

I was asked to write about my experiences in Mount Carmel and around the lower anthracite region as I am getting ready to leave after four months. Looking back, there’s quite a lot that’s happened.

I would like to start by thanking the region as a whole. Some, maybe most, have no idea who I am, so I should start from the beginning. Over the winter, I was still in school down at Drexel University in Philadelphia. I had sorted through many job opportunities, but one had stuck out. It was this company called KETEC looking for a student to work on the various sustainable construction projects. For me, this was ideal.

After finding out that it was in an old Pennsylvania coal town, that further piqued my interest. My family is originally from the Pittston area, but my parents moved out in their early 20s. For a kid who had great-grandfathers on both sides who worked in the mines, I didn’t know very much about mining at all. Growing up in northwestern New Jersey, it was rural but there definitely wasn’t any coal. There was this disconnection to my roots, and I saw this internship as a means to discover my heritage.

So I packed up and moved up here in March for the start of my cooperative learning experience. I got plenty of experience working with KETEC, but living in the area provided so much insight into what these large, dark, rocky banks are, and how they got there. I found out about the types of mining and how coal seams run.

Of course, you can’t talk about the lower anthracite without touching on this: I now know what a “Hobutt” is.

Going over to the Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland really showed me the conditions my great-grandfathers worked in every day. It was interesting to see others in the tour group seem so alien and restless in the moist darkness of the mine, while I had a bizarre feeling of familiarity I had felt like I’ve seen it before.

After seeing what it must have been like to do this back-breaking work done day in and day out, I can see why my dad’s recollection of his granddad are something along these lines: “I just remember him being a large man with big shoulders, and his hands were mangled from all the years of mining.” Living in the area gave me this identification of my family’s past, and I truly appreciate that a great deal.

I also met so many good people during my time in Mount Carmel. I was lucky enough to strike up a friendship with Logan McCracken, who happened to live across the street from my office. I’d go over for dinner or we’d stand out on their front porch talking about music or whatever happened to come up. Logan always had something good to say, and his family members were always so interesting to talk to.

Ed Lubinski and I were talking a lot and he started to get involved with KETEC. It was nice when a call turned into more than just business; usually there’d be a couple jokes and a few camping stories along with the conversation.

Bob Nolan from Nolan’s Lumber Co. always had a wise word of advice on the building projects. There had been several occasions when I was down there and we’d be talking for an hour or two.

Jim McIntyre and I had been working on some aspects of the KETEC/Drexel Greenhouse, and every few weeks we’d have a meeting. We’d talk about work, then shoot the breeze for awhile. It was always a good time.

It was nice meeting everyone and building relationships in the area.

Working at the KETEC was intriguing because every day led to something new. One day it was your everyday work, next day we’d have foreign businessmen and professionals in from D.C. I didn’t hear any of my other friends getting to organize and perform in a benefit rock concert for their company. Maybe you were at Rockin’ the Gap; maybe you had no idea it existed. Either way, it was a really fun event.

What I liked about KETEC was the feeling that I was helping the area. Every day, we’d work on getting businesses in or assisting local businesses to thrive; it was very satisfying. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do much building at all, really, because funding has been hard to come by with the economy going the way it is. For me, that was the only negative in working for the KETEC.

Once again, I’d just like to say thanks to the area for giving me this experience that I will always remember.

Sincerely

Andrew Troy

Print PDF

Drexel University students Andrew Troy, of Pittston, and Dzung Vu, of Hanoi, Vietnam, were a ‘perfect fit’ for the Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center Inc. (KETEC), according to Katie Jaeger, projects coordinator.

KETEC, headquartered in the old cigar factory in Mount Carmel, has been involved in a co-op program with Drexel University. The students live in the area for six months while interning at KETEC. Troy and Vu were chosen from 26 candidates and are the second pair of interns to come to Mount Carmel.

“It was a good opportunity that allowed me to do a lot of things not all interns can do,” said Vu, who is majoring in business administration, with a concentration in international business. “It was a big chance to get real experience.”

Troy, majoring in construction management, also saw a unique opportunity with KETEC. “It was the only opportunity to help with green building and sustainability,” said Troy.

Because it is a young program, KETEC relies heavily on the work of its interns. “We give them heavy responsibilities, but that’s the best way to learn,” said Jaeger. “These kids have amazing capabilities and can do any job we throw at them.”

Troy and Vu are excited to be given such responsibility, and joke that if they were somewhere else, they would probably be making coffee instead of attending monthly board of directors meetings like they do at KETEC.

“We’re full-on workers here. We’ve done everything and know all the ins and outs,” said Troy. “I got to work on some projects that I probably would not have the opportunity to see anywhere else.

One such project is the development of a “green home” in Mount Carmel. The home will use alternative energy and house future students. The project is waiting to receive a government grant for material purchases, with the goal of starting construction within the next year.

Meanwhile, Vu said many activities are planned to help introduce KETEC to the community, including a concert. “We want people to get to know us,” said Vu.

Surprised with how receptive the community has been to KETEC, Troy said there are many people willing to help out. “It’s amazing how many people want to help and give ideas,” said Troy.

A strong supporter of alternative energy, Leonard Marchinski, the owner of the old cigar factory, has allowed KETEC to work in the building for free as long as they need. “His dream was for this building to be a tech center,” said Jaeger. “It’s only fitting that we use it as our green headquarters.”

According to Jaeger, the most difficult part of recruiting interns for KETEC is convincing them to come to a smaller community. There wasn’t much adjustment needed for Troy, who has family in the area. He said that the Mount Carmel area is similar to his home.

Although Vu is from Vietnam, she didn’t feel out of place going to school in Philadelphia. “I’m from a city, so there was no shock at all,” said Vu. “It was just like home.”

Troy joined a local gym to spend his free time, and Vu attends a karate class. “It’s funny because I often hear people complaining that there isn’t anything to do, but I have all my needs right here,” said Vu.

Vu has been living with the Pupo family while at KETEC.  Lee Pupo said that his daughter first met Vu in her karate class and they immediately became friends. She was introduced to the Pupo family, who had a great experience when they hosted a Japanese exchange student in 2008, and decided to stay with them since May. “It’s very rewarding,” said Vu. “There’s a lot of exchanging ideas and you get to see what it’s like for other people growing up.”

The Pupo family has been most impressed with her ability to speak English. “Her command of the English language is awesome,” said Lee Pupo. “The last two books she read were by Plato.”

Vu introduced the Pupo family to her parents and brothers through the Internet. “That was a new experience she showed us – to actually see her family on the screen and speak face to face,” said Pupo.

Jaeger hosted Vu for her first few weeks in the area. She said it was also a great learning experience for her as well. “When they live in your house, that’s when you learn the most from them,” said Jaeger.

Vu will stay with the Pupo family until August. “She has been an inspiration to our daughter and a wonderful house guest to us,” said Pupo, “We will miss her very much when she leaves, and we plan to stay in touch.”

Vu will study abroad next semester in Istanbul, and Troy will be transferring to Clemson University in South Carolina. They say their time with KETEC will be something that they will always remember.

“KETEC will always be in the back of my mind,” said Troy. “We got a chance to not only help the area, but the world’s need for alternative energy

Print PDF

SHAMOKIN – More than 400 youths attended an orientation at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center Friday morning to kick off a summer youth program, featuring presentations by PA CareerLink and the Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center Inc. (KETEC).

Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc. (CSO) has recruited area youths, ages of 16 to 24, to participate in the paid SEE (Summer Employment Experiences) Central Pa. The opportunities are designed to enhance job and life skills and provide exposure to resources designed to assist youths with making career decisions.

Eligible youths will work with local government agencies, nonprofit organizations and other local employers.

Working with the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) Youth Council, which represents Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties, the summer youth employment program provides area youths with meaningful opportunities to access the knowledge and skill sets necessary to succeed in other careers, as employees and productive members of the community.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Scott Davis opened the event with a presentation on drugs and their negative effects, especially while holding a job.

He first told the youths that, just by looking into the crowd, he could tell there were those in attendance experiencing drug addictions. The young crowd laughed at what they thought was an opening joke, but Davis was quick to follow with a stern look on his face.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” he said. “Drugs are a serious problem facing the community today.”

Steve Bartos, KETEC’s interim executive director, spoke to the youth about the organization’s plan to revitalize the lower anthracite region by providing innovation in alternative-energy development. He stressed that the key to the future is the young adults, like those in attendance.

“Our grandparents and great-grandparents changed the world at about your age,” he said. “We are now moving into an alternative-energy economy, and you should think about how this economy will affect you.”

KETEC, a nonprofit organization, is headquartered in the former General Cigar factory in Mount Carmel.

Also speaking at the event were Andy Troy, a Drexel University construction management student who spoke about two construction projects in development by KETEC, and Dzung Vu, a Drexel University business management student who spoke about new opportunities available in clean technology fields.

Katie Jaeger, CSO’s projects coordinator for KETEC, discussed current and future energy use trends and the advantages the area has in the development of alternative energy.

Print PDF

Chesapeake Gardens President Alan Magan stands in from of the company’s Selinsgrove factory.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP – Chesapeake Gardens has signed a letter of intent with the Coal Township-SEEDCO Industrial Park to establish its business there, bringing approximately 50 jobs to the area.

The letter says, “They are interested and want to be there, and we’re saying that we want them to be there and we will work with you to get you there,” explained SEEDCO Chairman Dr. Richard Caruso.

The letter is essentially the first step in a long process of bringing the business from Selinsgrove to the park. The two parties are working on a final contract agreement, expected to be completed within 40 days. Once the contract is in place, land and engineering development and permits will be sought before construction can begin, which is expected in 2011.

“There are specific milestones with the deadlines and dates. It (the letter) lays out details and dates on when things should be done,” explained Steve Bartos, director of the nonprofit Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC), a Mount Carmel-based economic incubator that helped attract Chesapeake to the region.

Bartos has been involved with Chesapeake Gardens, SEEDCO and various other economic opportunities in the region.

If all goes according to plan, the plant will be operational by August or September 2011.

“It’s a good target – a good goal. It’s not overly aggressive,” said Bartos.

Sewer deal key

The Mount Carmel Municipal Authority voted in favor of construction a $1.4 million pump station for the park in May after several business leaders, including Chesapeake Gardens President Alan Magan, attended a meeting to encourage the members or commit to bringing business there.

The authority had hesitant to follow through on any feeling there was not enough commitment from the businesses they were only told were interested.

Now that the pump station is promised, Magan said he has every intention of coming to the park.

“We’re very optimistic that it’s the right place for us, and not just because of the utilities. That was just the final piece of the puzzle,” he said. “It will work for us geographically.”

The Selinsgrove-based company makes soup, sauce and gravy, and most recently has started making frozen casseroles for institutional food service companies that supply mostly to schools, seniors and health-care facilities. Also, the firm recently began making dips for chips. They supply food distribution businesses through the mid-Atlantic region from Washington, D.C., to New York. Their largest customer is Revolution Foods, which has a branch in Maryland.

The company is currently housed in a 7,000 square-foot building with one loading dock in Selinsgrove near Susquehanna University. The new plant in Mount Carmel Township would be 25,000-square feet with multiple loading docks on a minimum of five acres.

The park is situated on Mount Carmel Township and Coal Township land and is designated a tax-free Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Federal health initiative

Furthermore, Magan has been in discussions with various state officials to establish his business as a supplier for a new federal initiative of healthier eating and combatting childhood obesity. The company would supply food service companies with healthier options. Magan has also considered approaching local health-care facilities with a similar proposal, but has not yet been in contact.

The products they manufacture would meet all dietary requirements of major nutritional groups in the nation who are looking for healthier choices that taste good and is affordable.

“All these pieces are starting to work,” said Caruso. “If we can put these pieces together, we can get more recognition.”

With further recognition, said Caruso, there’s no question in his mind that more interest from businesses will be generated, completing a vision of revitalizing the region.

Print PDF

Rob Wheary  May 29, 2010

Sustainable or “green” energy, already a catch-phrase in the U.S., is getting further attention as the magnitude of the Gulf Coast oil spill grows.

Five students at the Shamokin campus of Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) have taken a first step toward careers in that burgeoning industry by earning certificates in Sustainable Energy Technology (SET). The 32-credit, two-semester program is also offered at LCCC’s main campus in Nanticoke.

“It was very difficult, and we all struggled at times, but we earned that certificate and all felt it was well-deserved,” said graduate Jim McIntyre.

The program includes relevant coursework in electricity, computer-aided drafting, programmable logic controllers, physics and sustainable energy sources such as wind power, solar power and biomass.

“It was really a challenge to see how everything tied together,” said Devin Milbrand.

Another graduate, Wayne Bright, said the program will provide great opportunities down the line.

“Going through this course, you can really see that sustainable energy is going to be the way to go for the future,” Bright said.

“I feel the same way,” McIntyre added. “I was fascinated by how solar and wind power have changed since their first inception. Right now, we are burning so much fossil fuel that we need to find another way.”

Students Logan McCracken and Tyler Hartman also earned certificates in the inaugural offering of the program.

$30,000 lab helped

Those in the program were the first to use an electronics/physics/PLC lab at the Shamokin campus, purchased with a $30,000 grant the college received.

The program was developed in conjunction with the Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC) initiative, which seeks to bring alternative energy providers and manufactures into Northumberland County and surrounding areas.

This week, KETEC interim director Steve Bartos met with some of the students to discuss possibilities related to green jobs.

“I hope KETEC is successful,” McIntyre said. “There are few jobs right now, but it could be a great career path and part of the future.”

‘Ever-expanding’

Jobs that use the technical knowledge provided in the SET program include photovoltaic installer, alternative energy integrator, wind energy technician, smart grid technician and others.

Bright sees himself working in the solar field if he gets the opportunity.

“Right now, government buildings and other businesses are using solar energy,” Bright said. “It is expensive currently, but I could really see it taking off once prices come down.”

“It really doesn’t matter which field it is, because sustainable energy is ever-expanding,” Milbrand said. “We are just at the start of this, I feel. There is always someone working on something better.

Print PDF

HARRISBURG – A $4.9 million state loan has been approved and marks the final financial hurdle for the IntelliWatt alternative energy project in the Coal Township-SEEDCO Industrial Park.

With that, the New Jersey company says only state and local permit approvals are needed before construction on the energy generation plant could begin later this year.

The funding approval from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was welcome news Thursday for those who have been working on the project for nearly two years.

“This is a $10 million project that will create new jobs in our region and contribute to Pennsylvania’s move toward more renewable and sustainable energy production and use,” state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. said in a statement announcing the loan. “State funding, through grants and loans, can be the final piece of the puzzle in getting projects like this off the drawing board and making them a reality.”

That’s likely the case here, said Mark Nastasi, president of IntelliWatt Renewable Energy LLC, Cherry Hill, N.J.

“The loan is an instrumental step for making this and other projects in the state a success,” he said, referencing the authority’s expected approval of other large project funding.

Nastasi said additional funding for his project has been secured with a combination of equity and loans.

With the financing secured, the only thing IntelliWatt is waiting on is final approvals of permits by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local governments and other entities, he said.

He said he is optimistic that those approvals will be granted soon, and estimates construction could begin in nine to 14 months, with an anticipated completion in 2011.

Nastasi said the news was very fresh Thursday, and that details on the loan, including the interest rate, had not yet been released.

Wood as fuel source

IntelliWatt is a Pennsylvania start-up company founded by five individuals, including Nastasi, specializing in sustainable and renewable energy solutions. The company plans to build a 13-megawatt biomass energy facility on 22 acres of land it has purchased in Mount Carmel Township portion of the industrial park.

The facility will use recycled wood pallets and clean wood chips as a fuel source to generate electricity. The electricity will be sold through the PJM electricity grid, which serves Pennsylvania and 12 other states.

Loan is big step

In October 2008, when Northumberland County officials unveiled FUTURES (Fossil Underwriting Technology to Utilize Renewable Energy Sources), IntelliWatt was one of several companies involved.

Steve Bartos, who created FUTURES, has since left the county, but he has remained closely involved with IntelliWatt’s project – and those of other companies that are considering locating at the industrial park and elsewhere in the region – through his new job as renewable/green energy coordinator for the lower anthracite region through Belfanti’s office, and as director of Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC), created in early 2009.

“I wouldn’t call it a home run, but we certainly got on base,” Bartos said about Thursday’s news.

He said he was hopeful, but really had no indication whether CFA was going to approve the funding.

He added that KETEC has “a lot of irons in the fire – a lot of quality irons,” and he’s hopeful for more good news in 2010.

‘Important’ projects

Belfanti said IntelliWatt’s facility is also being funded with private financing and a grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, a state agency revived under Gov. Ed Rendell that offers financing for innovative, advanced energy projects, and for businesses that locate or expand alternative energy manufacturing or production operations in Pennsylvania.

“The economic and energy development programs created by the General Assembly during the past few years that the CFA oversees are extremely important in our state’s recovery and revitalization efforts,” Belfanti said. “These funding initiatives are helping build economic activity and create jobs all across the state, including here in our region.”

Belfanti said the state loan funding will be used to purchase biomass renewable energy equipment. The company has also applied for a state grant through the Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Energy Works! program.

32 employees

Nastasi estimates the facility will employ at least 32 employees at the start, but that the number could double by the third year.

The importance of the plant is three-fold, he said.

Northumberland County will benefit in job creation; renewable energy will help the state reach federal goals; and the facility will “act as a foothold to attract other, similar businesses interested in buying renewable energy,” said Nastasi.

Print PDF

(This was written prior to Wednesday night’s public meeting, so we’re not aware of the latest developments.)

Specific examples of this attention can be viewed at a number of Web sites, including iStockanalyst, which provides up-to-date analysis on stocks, commodities and businesses worldwide. The story was also carried by PA NewsLine, Reading Eagle, PennLive, Renwablesbiz, WindAction, National Wind-Watch, Energy Central and The Carbon Capture Report, to name a few.

Hard to believe that Northumberland County has made such a stir in the global renewable energy news, or is it? Many of the major wind power developers are closely watching situations such as ours to get a feel for what type of policies local municipal officials are developing.

Why is the next move by our county officials so important? We can look to a recent article in the Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine, to help with the answer. The article discusses Maine’s Utilities and Energy Committee, which would set a fee that wind power project developers would pay to the communities and counties that host projects. A proposed bill would require that developers pay a “constituent” amount in every community, something proponents say offers tangible benefits for residents.

Likewise, our situation could mean boon or bust for a county that is desperately in need of economic revitalization.

Following is some data that might make the complicated world of renewable energy, and specifically wind power, a bit easier to understand.

Typically in a wind energy deal, there several variables and factors that play a role in developing an agreement between the landowner and the developer. Although other factors come into play, let’s stay to the basics.

A wind energy development company will first identify plots of land that have good potential to produce energy from wind. The developer will enter into a first lease agreement to allow set up of a meteorological tower to get real-time data on the properties that are being considered for the wind farm. The towers typically collect data for one year. The data is then used to decide if the property is viable for a wind farm, and will also allow the developer to decide what size turbines (number of megawatts, mw) would be most appropriate.

Once this data is in hand, the developer can decide on how to proceed. The size of a typical wind turbine is 1.0 mw to 2.5 mw. The rating of the turbine is called the name-plate rating. In the case of Northumberland County, the most likely size for the wind farm being considered is 1.5 mw.

Other critical factors of consideration in a lease agreement with the county would be the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

The PPA is a legal contract between the energy producer and the electricity purchaser. In other words, the wind farm developer will be paid a certain amount by the electric utility for the electricity sold. Renewable power such as wind energy is more desirable now because Pennsylvania passed a law requiring 18 percent of all energy carried by the utilities to be renewable by 2021. If the utilities do not make the renewable power themselves, they must purchase it from entities such as wind and solar farms.

RECs are financial credits that are produced and certified when a renewable energy project begins producing power. One REC represents one megawatt hour (mwh) of renewable energy that is physically metered and verified from the generator of the renewable power. RECs are typically sold separately as commodities in the marketplace and, depending on the market conditions, can be worth from $10 to $90 mwh. These credits, along with the PPA, are extremely valuables.

In its most simplistic form, any county contract should include a standard land lease payment, along with a piece of the PPA and the RECS generated. In some instances, landowners become the developer and/or owner and keep 100 percent of the RECs. A straightforward calculation using a name-plate rating of 1.5 mw and building 10 wind mills on the land at today’s current PPA and RECs would result as follows:

One wind windmill at 1.5 mw would produce approximately $328,500 per year if the power generator received an average price of 10 cents per kwh. Over a 20-year lifetime of the windmills operating without accounting for inflation or increase in the PPA, a wind farm of 10 windmills could generate gross revenues of $65,700,000 just for the PPA.

The total RECs created by a single wind mill in the project would be 3,285. Multiplying 3,285 RECs times an estimated value of $10/REC would generate $32,850 per year per windmill. An operating farm of 10 wind mills at minimum could generate $328,500 per year or $6,570,000 over a 20-year lifetime.

Taking the PPA and RECs combined over 20 years for a 10-turbine farm with each windmill having a name-plate rating of 1.5 mw would realize gross revenues of $72 million.

Recognizing that there are building costs and operating expenses for the wind farm, the owner/developer would not realize a profit of $72 million, but net revenues do stand to be potentially in the $10s of millions of dollars over the lifetime of the farm.

Clearly, the developers stand to make quite a bit of profit over the lifetime of this project, otherwise why do it? Northumberland County, a financially distressed government entity that has cut government services, laid off workers and raised health care premiums, needs to carefully weigh its actions on renewable/alternative energy decisions such as this one.

The world is watching.

(Bartos is renewable/green energy coordinator for the lower anthracite region through the office of state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr., D-107. “Green Light” appears every other Thursday.)

http://newsitem.com/opinion/what-s-behind-a-wind-deal-northumberland-county-situation-being-closely-watched-1.577130

Print PDF

Appalachian leaders are meeting in Cincinnati this week, seeking ways to use alternative energy to spark the 13-state region’s economy.

Sound familiar?

KETEC – Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center – has been working toward the same goal for the past year for the lower anthracite region.

While we’re told the finishing touches are near on several projects that will result in local jobs – the result we seek from any economic-development effort – KETEC on Friday announced an interesting initiative that further makes this region attractive to alternative-energy developers.

The local nonprofit has teamed with Drexel University to rehabilitate a Mount Carmel eyesore and make it a working example of green energy in residential living. Two students from the Philadelphia university will not only bring new life to this home, they will create a residence where future students taking part in the project will live.

There are so many positives associated with such an endeavor:

- KETEC continues to set the pace toward building this region’s reputation for alternative-energy projects.

- It returns a dilapidated property – which was purchased by Mount Carmel Downtown Inc. at the recent. Northumberland County judicial sale – to livable condition, where it doesn’t harm neighboring property values.

- Mount Carmel and the region build a relationship with a top university.

- Young, talented, energetic students become part of the community.

- Those locally and from afar see the region as progressive and serious about a better future.

We wish KETEC, Drexel, the students and others involved success, and congratulate them on this inspiring project.

Larry Deklinski/Staff Photo The home at 441 and 443 E. Water St., Mount Carmel, is the target of this unique project.

Rob Wheary/Staff Photo Michael Magee, a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia, shows a prototype drawing of a green home that will be built in Mount Carmel. He was speaking at a press conference Friday.

Article from News Item

http://newsitem.com/opinion/going-green-with-a-purpose-1.365125

Print PDF