BEA gets funds for geothermal system

Ed Mahon

BOGGS TOWNSHIP — Bald Eagle Area School District's geothermal system will receive an $825,000 state Renewable Energy Program loan and a $500,000 Pennsylvania Energy Harvest grant.

The system, being constructed now, is expected to cost $2 million.

It’s part of the $26 million renovation project that will connect Wingate Elementary School with the Bald Eagle Area junior and senior high school building. Through the geothermal system, the district expects to save 2.1 million kilowatt-hours of energy and about $130,000 per year.

The $500,000 grant was awarded by the state Department of Environmental Protection, and is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The $825,000 loan comes from the state’s Renewable Energy Program, which is administered by the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency. The district will pay one percent interest on that loan, a lower rate than standard.

The geothermal field will be located behind the high school, and construction crews expect to start drilling wells next week. Most of the excavation work for the entire $26 million project is completed, and construction for the large group instruction room has begun.

“We’re making progress,” said Rick Vilello, the district’s project manager.

Rain has delayed the roof project, which was initially planned to be completed Aug. 21. But there’s 34 to 44 days of work to finish on the roof.

“They’re about six weeks behind schedule,” Vilello said.

Ed Mahon can be reached at 231-4619.