Contact: Nate Reagle, Clean Energy Program Advocate, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, nathan.reagle@sierraclub.org
Rush Township, Centre County, Pa. — In a 2-1 vote on Tuesday evening, the Rush Township Supervisors in Centre County, Pennsylvania approved the pending permit for the renewable energy project known as Black Moshannon Solar.
The proposed solar project would generate 265 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 200,000 homes annually. At the same time, the project is being heralded for utilizing nearly 2,000 acres of toxic mineland, reclaiming otherwise unusable land, and including mineland clean-up as part of the project’s development. The project's developers have committed to introducing pollinators and pollinator-friendly ground cover beneath the solar arrays, conducting water quality and soil studies throughout development and operations, and taking steps to enhance the soil by using lime to neutralize mining contamination and encourage vegetation to grow on the site.
The Black Moshannon Solar project is also expected to provide more than $5 million in tax revenue to support the Phillipsburg-Osceola Area School District and more than $700,000 in direct tax payments to Centre County.
In response to the approval of the permit proposal by Rush Township, statewide environmental group leaders and nonprofit clean energy advocates release the following statements:
“The Black Moshannon Solar project is a perfect example of how renewable energy, natural resource conservation, and community benefits can align. This truly is a win-win-win for the community,” stated Nate Reagle, the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter’s Clean Energy Program Advocate.
“The bipartisan group of Rush Township Supervisors who got this proposal over the finish line should pat themselves on the back for this groundbreaking project,” stated David Masur, Executive Director for the statewide nonprofit organization PennEnvironment. “We are hopeful that other local government officials across Pennsylvania will follow Rush Township’s lead and implement similar, much-needed solar projects all across the Keystone State.”
“The Rush Township Supervisors are establishing productive farmland and sustainable energy infrastructure for future generations,” noted Jim Gregory, Executive Director, Conservative Energy Network-Pennsylvania. “In forty years, their forward-thinking decisions will be recognized as catalysts for environmental protection, public health improvements, and economic prosperity. The Conservative Energy Network-Pennsylvania commends their responsible leadership and dedication to the community's long-term well-being.”
“As veterans, we understand what it means to serve something greater than ourselves,” said Moises Montalvo, Pennsylvania Lead Organizer for Veterans Power America. “Projects like Black Moshannon Solar give us a chance to continue that service—by strengthening our nation’s energy security, creating jobs for working families, and leaving behind a cleaner, safer country for future generations.”
"Approval of the Black Moshannon Solar project is a victory for the people of Rush Township, a victory for clean energy, and a victory for a sustainable economy," stated Tom Pike, Clean Air Council Director of Campaigns. "This is the kind of forward-thinking work that communities across the Commonwealth should be looking to replicate."
“This project is a powerful example of how local communities and elected officials are coming together to embrace solar energy. By redeveloping polluted lands for clean energy production, we can transform environmental liabilities into long-term economic and environmental assets, all while helping to lower rising energy costs for Pennsylvanians. It’s a no-brainer, and we hope other communities across the commonwealth will join in realizing the firsthand benefits of going solar,” said Abby Jones, Vice President of Legal & Policy at PennFuture.
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.pennenvironmentcenter.org.
The Conservative Energy Network-Pennsylvania works to champion secure, reliable and affordable clean Keystone energy for Commonwealth ratepayers. For more information, please visit https://conservativeenergynetwork.org/cen-pa/.
Veterans Power America is a national network of veterans organizing to advance clean energy, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen America’s energy independence. As part of the veterans organization Common Defense, VPA empowers those who served to continue their mission at home—fighting for a secure, sustainable future powered by American clean energy. For more information visit www.veteranspoweramerica.org.
Clean Air Council is a member-supported environmental organization serving Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions. The Council is dedicated to protecting everyone’s right to a healthy environment. The Council works through a broad array of sustainability and public health initiatives, including public education, community action, government oversight, and enforcement of environmental laws. For more information, please visit www.cleanair.org.
PennFuture is leading the fight for an equitable, job-creating state economy by advancing clean air, pure water, and climate change solutions through legal advocacy, policy engagement, and empowering all Pennsylvanians. For more information, please visit www.pennfuture.org.