Local News

Pennsylvania Turnpike charging full speed ahead with solar energy production plans

September 12, 2022 / 7:28 AM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

Pa. Turnpike opening solar field

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Pennsylvania Turnpike is charging ahead with its plans on jumping into solar energy production.

According to a report from our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the agency is awaiting an occupancy permit to open a solar field at a maintenance facility near Jeannette.

It will be the first of a series of solar facilities planned across the state, including in New Stanton and Penn Township.

The long-term goal is to use solar-generated power to electrify portions of the toll road so electric vehicles can charge as they travel.

Solar Power
Pennsylvania Turnpike

Patrick Damp

Patrick Damp is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh native who grew up watching KDKA-TV, Patrick studied journalism at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After half a decade in sports communication, Patrick decided to pursue his dream of working in journalism in his hometown and joined the CBS Pittsburgh team in 2019.