Senator Gordner and Rep. Millard Announces Successful PENNVEST Project in Berwick Area

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2006
Contact
Todd Roup
717-787-8928
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Senator Gordner and Rep. Millard Announces Successful PENNVEST Project in Berwick Area

(HARRISBURG) – The Berwick Area Joint Sewer Authority will be able to begin a major upgrade to the sewage treatment plant that serves Berwick and Briar Creek Boroughs, as well as Mifflin and Briar Creek Townships this year, according to State Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27). The local Authority was approved for a grant of over $2.2 million and a low interest loan for over $2 million this morning by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Senator Gordner attended this morning's PENNVEST board meeting at the Governor's residence, along with Authority members Sam Ganshaw, Bruce Michael and Gloria Bobersky. Senator Gordner and State Rep. Dave Millard (R-109) worked with the Authority and advocated for the project with PENNVEST.

The Authority members said the grant and loan package will enable the Authority to construct a new system that will reduce sewage sludge by 80 percent, reducing costs to transport the sludge to a landfill and saving valuable landfill capacity. The new system is known as the "Cannibal System" and is considered cutting edge technology. It will be the first such plant in Pennsylvania and one of only five in the country.

"The Berwick Authority will be the first plant on the Susquehanna watershed to meet water standards for the Chesapeake Bay Tributary," said Senator Gordner. "This project will help improve water quality in the bay and result in less sludge being disposed of in landfills."

The Berwick Area Joint Sewer Authority application was one of 91 projects considered at this morning's PENNVEST meeting. 34 projects were approved for a total of $102 million.

PENNVEST is an independent state agency that provides financial assistance to upgrade sewer, water, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. It is funded through several bond issues that were approved by voters and has approved nearly $3 billion in projects.