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Babb Creek Watershed Association to Receive $428,710 Grant Through Energy Harvest ProgramWARREN— Babb Creek Watershed Association, Inc., in Tioga County has been awarded a $428,710 state grant to install a turbine on the discharge side of the Antrim acid mine drainage plant to help generate new clean energy, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson). The grants are awarded through the state’s Energy Harvest Program, which is intended to fund projects to create new energy and provide additional jobs for state residents. The program promotes awareness and builds markets for cleaner or renewable energy technologies. Since the program began in 2003, Energy Harvest has invested nearly $33.5 million and leveraged $109.7 million in private investment commitments. Scarnati said the Babb Creek Water Association will install a 53 kilowatt microhydro turbine on the discharge side of the Antrim acid mine drainage treatment plant. The turbine is expected to generate 460,000 kilowatt hours per year. Scarnati said the Antrim treatment plant will receive a large portion of the power, saving it $9,400 annually, with the excess to be sold, generating $17,300 annually. The plant treats 1,800 gallons per minute of acidic mine drainage, one of the state’s most difficult environmental challenges. “This is a great way to create new energy at a time when we are trying to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Scarnati said. “By harnessing the energy sources we have, we can save consumers money, produce clean energy and make energy costs more affordable for all Pennsylvanians.”
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