A talk with Carlisle Borough Councilman Tim Scott On Implementing Alternative Energy Soltuions To The Borough

If you visit the campus of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, you will see a student body and faculty committed to sustainability. Recycle bins are everywhere, messages about the importance of sustainability are all over bulletin boards, and the school hosts a spring fair each year allowing alternative energy and environmental companies and organizations to come to the campus and speak to students and citizens of the town.

For sure, Dickinson College is fully committed to alternative energy and the benefits that come from it. But what is even better news is the Borough of Carlisle, led by Borough Councilman Tim Scott, is showing they're committed as well. A new project they are undertaking only further proves it.

Financed by bonds, loans and a potential grant from the Commonwealth Finance Agency, the Borough Council has signed off on a solar array project that will use solar panels to power their wastewater facility.

A proponent for clean energy, Tim Scott believes this project will show people the benefits of converting to new types of energy and why it makes sense.

"From my perspective, it makes sense because of the savings in electricity costs that can be passed on to the rate payers," said Scott. "In the case of this wastewater project, not only will our customers in the Borough receive these savings, but in the townships we provide as well."

This project is just one example about the potential jobs that could be created locally from alternative energy projects. "One would hope this (would create jobs)," said Scott. "Our solar array project is a job creator and that's what it's all about these days."

The wastewater project is the second major alternative energy initiative seen recently in the Borough. Carlisle Area School District recently converted to solar energy and today has the biggest solar array for a public school in Pennsylvania.

While the wastewater project was a big step in the town's conversion to alternative energy, it was by no means their last. As Tim Scott explained, they have a non-voting student ambassador on the council from Dickinson College that is assisting in the commitment to sustainability. "The Student Ambassador and I announced a joint project this week in which we will present Council with several sustainability options that the Borough and the college can work on together." Scott said.

With these ongoing efforts, the future looks promising for Carlisle to be a great example to the region about how to utilize alternative energy. Tim Scott's work has been an instrumental part to the current success and his work will still be a value to the community moving forward.

For Scott, he believes there are many possibilities for Carlisle's alternative energy development in the next ten years. "I would like to see all our major operations (public works building, parks and recreation center, water plant) getting at least 51% of their energy needs from a renewable source, whether it be solar, wind or hydro," said Scott. "This would have a tremendous positive effect on the Borough's checkbook and ultimately save tax-payer dollars."

Sources:

www.henkels.com/NEWSDESK/Pages/Carlisle%20Area%20School%20District%27s%20Commitment%20to%20Renewable%20Energy.aspx

www.dickinson.edu/about/sustainability/content/Green-Campus.aspx