From WTAE-TV:
The old town of Vandergrift hopes to be the new face of sustainable energy — and what’s in the water could be the most powerful boost ever for the local economy.
University of Pittsburgh researchers want to generate electricity by putting conducting fibers at the bottom of the Kiski River. The faster the current moves over those fibers, the more electricity will be produced.“It’s very expensive to heat, cool and light these old buildings,” said Shaun Yurcaba, the coordinator of Vandergrift’s Main Street improvement program.”It would be a huge benefit for these building owners and property owners to have that as an offset to their expenses.”
Once a booming steel mill community, Vandergrift thrived because of its proximity to the river. But when the steel industry went sour, so did the borough’s economy.Now, Vandergrift is in the midst of a makeover. Revitalization efforts have helped bring in new businesses and Mayor Louis Purificato said Pitt’s research will open more doors.
“It took a long time for Vandergrift to get into the shape it is,” Purificato said. “It’s going to take another 20 to 30 years to get back up to the shape of where we would like it to be.”
“The possibilities are tremendous for small towns like Vandergrift that are on rivers, struggling, looking to revitalize,” said Yurcaba. “I think there is a great opportunity there.”
