March 21, 2005

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

MCKEEVER ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER TO INSTALL WINDMILL FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY, LESSONS ON CLEAN ENERGY

SANDY LAKE, Pa. – McKeever Environmental Learning Center has received a $34,154 state grant to install an electricity-producing windmill and launch an exhibit explaining alternative energy sources to visitors, including students from across western Pennsylvania.

SlipperyRock University administers McKeever, a 205-acre educational setting providing earth education, student teaching and business retreat opportunities.

McKeever received an Energy Harvest Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to install the 10-kilowatt windmill this summer, said Kelly Burch, DEP’s northwest regional director. In addition to the educational aspect, energy from the wind turbine will power the center’s maintenance building and a second structure.

          "McKeever Center is visited by 10,000 people each year,” he said. "The wind turbine will act as a demonstration project, a visual and functional exhibit that will explain wind power and how energy can be produced from sustainable sources."

Gov. Edward G. Rendell launched the Energy Harvest Grant Program in 2003 to provide financing for clean and renewable energy projects built from sources such as wind, solar, small-scale hydroelectric, landfill methane and coal-bed methane, Burch said.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education owns McKeever. SRU and several other institutions send student teachers there for experience in working with children. McKeever has cabins, trails, educational buildings and outdoor learning labs.

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