Fessler Gets Grant for Solar-Powered Factory
Orwigsburg, Penn.–based knitwear manufacturer FesslerUSA received a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) to help fund the installation of a solar power plant being built next to its manufacturing facility in Deer Lake, Penn.
The centerpiece of the $5.6 million project is a solar photovoltaic power plant that will supply 667,000 kilowatts per year of electricity for the company.
“As an integral part of the FesslerUSA Corporate Sustainability Program, this system will avoid air pollution from traditional power sources by an estimated 506 tons of carbon dioxide annually,” said company Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Meck in a statement.
The solar project is part of Fessler’s corporate sustainability program. As part of the program, Meck was named chief sustainability officer. The company also improved energy efficiency around its factory and headquarters including the use of T5 lighting, reflective paint to reduce lighting needs, variable speed drives on motors and water pumps, etc., the recycling of production byproducts, sourcing from local vendors and the use of raw materials produced with a minimal environmental impact.
Meck said the actions stemmed from the company’s use of organic fibers as requested by customers. It eventually snowballed into a permanent part of its business practices.
As Meck noted, “We all recognize the long-term importance of protecting our environment. At FesslerUSA, we believe that the reduction of our carbon footprint not only is the right thing to do, it also enhances our competitiveness in this global economy. By controlling our energy costs, this solar project will help to ensure that we continue to grow and employ Pennsylvanians as we have for more than a century.” —Robert McAllister
