Stefano Announces $2 Million in Funding for Laurel Loop Project in Somerset County

Harrisburg – A project to create a coal cleaning plant and rail loop in Somerset County, creating more than 280 jobs, has been awarded $2 million in state funding, state Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) said today.

The project will create a full functioning coal cleaning plant accessible by rail in Shade Township. When completed, the plant will be run by LCT Energy, with coal being sent directly to market. The funding will go toward the construction of the plant and 3.5 miles of rail.

“With an urgent need in the past couple years to supply coal as a power source, LCT Energy has developed a competitive project to create a prep plant and rail loop that will allow trains to bring in cars filled with coal that will then go through a cleaning process on site,” said Stefano. “This completed project will cut down on production costs and allow coal to be transported to market faster. By transporting through rail, it will be providing a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient method of shipping and reclaims an abandoned strip mine providing even more environmental benefit to our region. Most important to me this creates new family sustaining jobs in the coal industry and continues coal’s resurgence in our economy.”

The total cost of the project is $15.4 million. The $2 million in state funding comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP) program. RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

“The project will create an estimated 183 temporary construction jobs and at least 100 permanent jobs when finished, totaling 283 jobs. With Somerset County having such a high unemployment rate, this project will make a significant impact to the area,” the senator said.

Contact: Ben Wren bwren@pasen.gov (717) 787-7175

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