ARG Going Green
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
The country's oldest continuously operating oil refinery is delving further into alternative energy.
American Refining Group is planning to build a "green coal" plant. It will go on two vacant parcels on Bolivar Drive – about 14 acres – along with another parcel that is 6 or 7 acres.
ARG President Harvey Golubock said the company will convert biomass into a coal-like substance. He said this will offset some of the coal currently burned, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ARG has already received a $1 million grant from the state.
Golubock said they expect to start construction next year and will employee 20 to 30 people full time.
He made the announcement during Monday's Bradford Area School Board meeting. The board was considering extending tax relief for some properties in the Keystone Opportunity Zone, and adding to sites to the KOZ.
ARG bought the refinery in 1997 and employed 157 people at that time. Today, they employ more than 325.
"We're not promising jobs that aren't going to happen," he said, adding that most of the jobs pay about $20 an hour and include benefits.
He noted that the company has spent $50 million improving the refinery.
"I think we've demonstrated a record of benefiting the community through an increase in employment and the projects we've done," Golubock said, adding that they use local contractors to do the work.
Golubock said adding this property to KOZ will help ARG bring in the new process plant and the new technology that they're developing, as well as remediate the properties that "are not usable in their current condition."
He said the environmental remediation alone will cost several hundred thousand dollars.
"We recognize that the city and the school district have financial difficulties – as does everybody in this economic climate," he said. "But we think that in the long run, the things we're trying to accomplish here will certainly benefit the city for many years to come."
Also addressed was the property at 21 Kennedy Street – the former Salvation Army building.
Owner Todd Hennard said he plans to turn the first floor, and possibly the second floor, into offices.
Board member Keith Hatch asked why there would be a need for more office space when there is already so much empty space downtown.
Hennard, who also owns the Forest Oil Building, said office space is already filled up in that building, as well as in Old City Hall, and he regularly gets inquiries about "quality" office space.
Hennard also noted once the KOZ designation expires in seven years, it will be the first time 21 Kennedy Street has ever been on the city's tax rolls.
The board also heard from John Kohler who is developing 129 acres on High Street Extension in Lewis Run.
Betty Cochran of the OECD also addressed the board about extending the KOZ agreement for the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Park, explaining that problems with the Department of Environmental Protection have been resolved and an access road should be built this year. That, she says, means it will be easier to attract businesses.
Other properties discussed were the old Third Ward School and the Bradford Regional Airport property.
WESB/WBRR News Director
The country's oldest continuously operating oil refinery is delving further into alternative energy.
American Refining Group is planning to build a "green coal" plant. It will go on two vacant parcels on Bolivar Drive – about 14 acres – along with another parcel that is 6 or 7 acres.
ARG President Harvey Golubock said the company will convert biomass into a coal-like substance. He said this will offset some of the coal currently burned, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ARG has already received a $1 million grant from the state.
Golubock said they expect to start construction next year and will employee 20 to 30 people full time.
He made the announcement during Monday's Bradford Area School Board meeting. The board was considering extending tax relief for some properties in the Keystone Opportunity Zone, and adding to sites to the KOZ.
ARG bought the refinery in 1997 and employed 157 people at that time. Today, they employ more than 325.
"We're not promising jobs that aren't going to happen," he said, adding that most of the jobs pay about $20 an hour and include benefits.
He noted that the company has spent $50 million improving the refinery.
"I think we've demonstrated a record of benefiting the community through an increase in employment and the projects we've done," Golubock said, adding that they use local contractors to do the work.
Golubock said adding this property to KOZ will help ARG bring in the new process plant and the new technology that they're developing, as well as remediate the properties that "are not usable in their current condition."
He said the environmental remediation alone will cost several hundred thousand dollars.
"We recognize that the city and the school district have financial difficulties – as does everybody in this economic climate," he said. "But we think that in the long run, the things we're trying to accomplish here will certainly benefit the city for many years to come."
Also addressed was the property at 21 Kennedy Street – the former Salvation Army building.
Owner Todd Hennard said he plans to turn the first floor, and possibly the second floor, into offices.
Board member Keith Hatch asked why there would be a need for more office space when there is already so much empty space downtown.
Hennard, who also owns the Forest Oil Building, said office space is already filled up in that building, as well as in Old City Hall, and he regularly gets inquiries about "quality" office space.
Hennard also noted once the KOZ designation expires in seven years, it will be the first time 21 Kennedy Street has ever been on the city's tax rolls.
The board also heard from John Kohler who is developing 129 acres on High Street Extension in Lewis Run.
Betty Cochran of the OECD also addressed the board about extending the KOZ agreement for the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Park, explaining that problems with the Department of Environmental Protection have been resolved and an access road should be built this year. That, she says, means it will be easier to attract businesses.
Other properties discussed were the old Third Ward School and the Bradford Regional Airport property.
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