News

March 17, 2008

Area man hopes energy bill spurs grant

King’s grad eyes keeping EthosGen, his alternative energy firm, local.

Jim Abrams had thought simply creating a money-saving innovation would open the investment-dollar floodgates, but he soon found that securing seed money for the patented ethanol-production system he’s trying to launch wasn’t growing on trees.

EthosGen twice attempted to secure $600,000 state grants, but struck out each year.

Abrams, a King’s College graduate and Dallas resident, said the company has been contacted by alternative-energy programs in other states and would transplant if money materializes, but he’s optimistic Pennsylvania money will come through to allow the homegrown enterprise to remain rooted locally.

He may get his wish if a highly publicized alternative-energy bill continues its current course. House Bill 1 of the state legislature’s special session on energy passed decisively last week, with all Luzerne County representatives voting in favor except Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake. It now goes before the Senate, and, if approved, would almost certainly be signed by Gov. Edward Rendell, who has long advocated for a similar plan.

The bill would allocate up to $850 million in two funds to stimulate alternative and renewable energy development, fund management of alternative-energy credits and offer incentives for purchasing energy-conservation technology. It would also allow the governor to call a state of emergency for a petroleum shortage.

“I’m hoping that that $850 million provides opportunity,” Abrams said. “We would like to see that businesses that come to the forefront, not just business but those that (invest in the community) are given priority.”

Local Democrats said the bill would stimulate local economies, help curb rising fuel prices and reduce dependence on foreign energy. It would make “the Commonwealth a top ‘destination location’ for clean energy investors,” Jim Wansacz, D-Old Forge, noted.

Rejecting the bill, Boback questioned government leading the charge. “For us to truly move forward with viable alternative fuel sources, private industry must make the commitment and the investment,” she said. “I am in favor of a plan that is consumer driven and provides tax incentives, not borrowing or tax increases, to encourage a wider use of alternative technologies.”

She said the borrowing would cost $1.4 billion without guaranteeing any conservation or conversion to alternative sources. She is working on legislation to give business with up 100 employees tax incentives for buying energy-efficient technologies.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

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