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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chelsa Wagner
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Representatives announce state funding for solar energy in city firehouses
HARRISBURG, July 15 – Several state representatives from Pittsburgh announced today that a $47,043 matching state grant has been awarded to buy and install solar hot water systems at five city firehouses in their legislative districts.
Reps. Chelsa Wagner, Daniel Deasy, Joseph Preston and Harry Readshaw, all D-Allegheny, announced the systems will be installed at:
- Firehouse 17 at 7601 Hamilton Ave. in Homewood;
- Firehouse 23 at 1704 Brownsville Road in Carrick;
- Firehouse 26 at 630 Brookline Blvd. in Brookline;
- Firehouse 27 at 96 Virginia Ave. in Mt. Washington;
- Firehouse 29 at 2100 Noblestown Road in Westwood.
"I am proud that the Commonwealth is able to assist Pittsburgh in becoming a greener, more energy-efficient city," Wagner said. "This transition to solar hot water heaters in some of our firehouses is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective way for us to begin the transition to green energy."
"What is so extraordinary about this grant is the benefits the city will reap in coming years," Preston said. "The projects are an economic investment because city employees will be trained to install solar technology systems. They will then be able to use their expertise to assist businesses and residents who want to use solar panels to cut energy costs."
"This is good news in multiple ways," Readshaw said. "The grant allows us to improve and update the infrastructure of the fire stations at a much-reduced cost. It will reduce energy consumption bills for the stations and do it in an environmentally friendly way, and give the city some valuable experience in dealing with solar systems, which are sure to become even more desirable in the future."
"And, the stations will demonstrate to the public the advantages of employing solar power where it can be most effective," Deasy added.
Funding for this grant came from the Solar Energy Program, which promotes the use of alternative energy throughout the state. The program is administered jointly by the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that evaluates and administers funding for projects that create jobs and invest in the state’s financial growth. To find out more about CFA programs, visit www.newpa.com .
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