Energy roadblocks hit at Americans for Prosperity event in western Clinton County

HYNER, PA – A Friday panel was critical of the federal government for its energy policy, using the cancelled Renovo Energy Center project as a focal point.

The Clinton County Economic Partnership and Americans for Prosperity hosted the event; the latter described in the media as a political advocacy group founded by the conservative Koch brothers in 2004. Speakers included Renovo Mayor Gene Bruno, Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-15), KeyState Energy CEO Perry Babb and panel moderator Marc Marie with AFP-Pennsylvania.

The event follows the April cancellation of the planned billion-dollar natural gas-to-energy plant proposed for Renovo’s old railyard site. Mayor Bruno lamented the loss of the project, calling the decision to pull the plug “a total shock.” He said Renovo would have received $500,000, money he said the borough needs to address dilapidated buildings and fund its police force. He said he “can’t blame them (the Bechtel Corporation)” for their decision after a nine-year effort to bring the project to fruition.

Mayor Bruno painted a bleak picture for the Renovo area, noting that the Lock Haven Hospital recently closed (it is no longer a functioning hospital but maintains its emergency room, among other services) and the Bucktail Medical Center in South Renovo is “in dire need.” He said the REC project would have been “a ray of light; the start of what we need…(as) the town is shrinking.”

The mayor expressed frustration about the economic loss; he said, “kids want to stay here” and noted that downriver Shamokin Dam was able to convert a coal-fired power plant to natural gas in recent years.

Speakers were critical of the federal government and the process of trying to bring energy producing projects to fruition. Congressman Thompson said that activists are stalling such projects “until they’re dead. The Howard Township resident said the federal government has been involved in paying for lawsuits, assisting “extreme environmental organizations” and “this needs to be fixed.”

He said there has been bipartisan federal legislation passed which should help projects like REC and the proposed West Keating natural gas-to-hydrogen plant take place. The congressman said there is an opportunity for new Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro “to show his support for innovation” and help bring such projects into being.

Babb, the man behind the massive West Keating project, said he was optimistic that his project will take place. He noted that the building trades and investors are supporting these projects, part of the transition from coal to natural gas and other sources of energy. Calling himself “an environmentalist,” he talked of development in the Marcellus gas fields in the last ten years, stating that natural gas emissions from that work have been “virtually eliminated.”

Babb was passionate in discussing his plans for the 7,000-acre site in rural western Clinton County and mentioned a 2027-28 completion date. He told The Record there would be a favorable update on the status of the project in the very near future.

CCEP Partnership President/CEO Mike Flanagan introduced the roundtable members. The event was held at the Good Neighbor Craft House in Hyner.