Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Byrd announces funding to develop renewable energy applications on former surface mines

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced the grant award of $400,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to the West Virginia Division of Energy for renewable energy applications on surface mined lands. The project is expected to create 24 new jobs and generate over 100 kilowatts of electricity.

According to the ARC, the West Virginia Division of Energy will provide support to develop new energy enterprises on former surface mined lands, which could include the production of wind and solar energy, as well as biofuels. The program is slated to have two components: 1) six competitively funded cost-share programs of up to $50,000 each will support new project development, and 2) two cost matched studies will provide information to advance commercial wind development operations.

The two wind studies will be conducted by Marshall University Center for Environmental Science and the West Virginia Division of Energy will select projects for participation in both programs using a competitive selection process, employing developed selection criteria.

In addition to ARC funds, state sources will provide $100,000, and local sources will provide $300,000, bringing the total project to $800,000.

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