Ben Franklin’s Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center was awarded a $750,000 Discovered in PA – Developed in PA (D2PA) grant.
State College – Continuing to advance Governor Corbett’s JOBS1st PA initiative, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker today announced the award of a $750,000 Discovered in PA – Developed in PA grant to help launch the Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization project, focused on expanding shale gas-related innovations and technologies.
“Governor Corbett said it best; energy equals jobs for Pennsylvanians and there are endless possibilities for new growth related to energy,” Walker said. “Marcellus shale presents a unique opportunity for Pennsylvania companies and entrepreneurs to develop new technologies to increase productivity and environmental safety.
“With the launch of the Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization project, the creativity and ingenuity of Pennsylvanians will be unleashed with the guidance and experience of the Ben Franklin Partners.”
The initiative will focus on the commercialization of emerging technologies in an effort to increase the value of the shale gas play in the commonwealth by placing emphasis on studies and project support increasing the value of natural gas utilization. The project will expand SGICC’s role as an educator on issues slowing the growth and economic impact of the shale gas play within the commonwealth, particularly oriented towards increasing natural gas utilization.
Bill Hall Director of the SGICC said “The shale energy industry exists today by virtue of innovations to the drilling and completions process. It will be carried forward as an energy revolution by a multiplicity of innovations along the entire value chain. Pennsylvania is leading the way by generating a model of continuously improving innovations to create a sustainable, environmentally sound energy model. We are proud to be a part of that energy engine here in the commonwealth and thank Governor Corbett for this support.”
SGICC will use the bulk of the D2PA funds to provide grants to PA-based small companies to demonstrate the feasibility of emerging technologies, or seed funds to test and help launch ideas, and to assist in market acceptance and growth of shale energy focused products or services. These grants will be available statewide in order to support the commercialization of new technologies leading to the creation of high-paying, sustainable jobs in the commonwealth.
For more information contact Bill Hall, SGICC Director, at 814-863-4881
