AJ News

State Sen. Robert Mellow, D-Peckville, on Friday announced Lackawanna County will receive more than $1 million in grants through the state Conservation Works Program.
The money will help recipients reduce energy costs.
Grant recipients are: University of Scranton, $250,000; Lackawanna College, $250,000; Scranton Cultural Center at Masonic Temple, $250,000; Keystone College, $200,000; Covington Township, $108,225; and Moses Taylor Hospital, $85,900.
 “I applaud the local government and non-profit groups for their commitment to becoming more energy efficient,” Sen. Mellow said. “The fact that they will be awarded these grants is proof they have made a serious and concerted effort to be good stewards of the environment and also have an awareness of how doing so can reap considerable financial rewards. I am pleased to see such a significant amount of stimulus money flowing into our community.”
 Eligible projects include installation of energy-efficient lighting, energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings, upgrades at wastewater treatment plants, installation of geothermal heat pumps, and implementation of solar, wind, and other renewable energy technology in government buildings. The projects must result in a minimum 25-percent conservation of all energy used.
 The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants are aimed at assisting government and non-profit entities.
 Sen. Mellow holds a seat on the state Stimulus Oversight Commission which advises and reviews Pennsylvania’s plans for stimulus spending to assure that citizens get the best possible value from the program.