Governor highlights energy savings of farms through digester technology

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding paid a visit to Penn England Farms in Blair County to emphasize the advantages of the "Lightning Plan." This initiative, designed to secure Pennsylvania's energy future, aims to reduce energy costs for farmers and rural communities across the state.

Penn England Farms, a dairy operation run by a family, employs an on-site manure digester. This technology helps convert waste into clean energy, resulting in a significant pollution reduction of nearly 40,000 metric tons annually. The farm not only powers itself but also contributes excess energy to the grid. The implementation of this digester in 2006 has led to substantial savings, totaling $1.6 million in energy costs, which averages about $90,000 per year.

Governor Shapiro's plan aims to expand access to such technology via a community energy proposal. This would enable multiple farmers to utilize shared digesters, thereby reducing costs and potentially allowing them to sell surplus energy back to the grid.

In addition to the Governor and Secretary Redding, the event featured remarks from Yvette Longenecker, owner of Penn England Farms, Commissioner Laura Burke, Mark Heeter, President of the Blair County Farm Bureau, and Steven McKnight, President and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation.