Pennsylvania awards biomass energy grants

The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority has approved more than $2.2 million in grants for statewide biomass-related projects. Four companies and a school district received funds ranging from $150,000 to $1 million to install biomass-fed boilers, and to build facilities that will pelletize wood and convert biomass into biochar. Another project involves the construction of a 12-megawatt biomass-fed power generation facility. The funds are dependent on a $500 million state bond issue that was approved by Pennsylvania's General Assembly earlier this year. The official bond issue is expected in 2009.