Infrastructure
Pennsylvania is a deregulated state which allows consumers to choose their electric and natural gas generator supplier based on their needs and budgets. The infrastructure to distribute energy is provided by utility partners included FirstEnergy, PPL Electric Utilities and Citizens’ Electric regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). The average Pennsylvania commercial electricity rate is 11.25 ¢/kWh (13% lower than the national average).
Natural Gas
Natural gas utilities in Central PA UGI Utilities and Columbia Gas continue to invest millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades to support growth. The SEDA-COG Natural Gas Co-Op provides options for LNG and CNG for areas not served with current infrastructure. Pennsylvania is the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer. Central PA is home to a portion of the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project, a $3 billion investment to increase capacity of the Transco pipeline, the largest-volume natural gas pipeline system in the United States.
Rail
Rail access and service is a leading comparative advantage for industry in Central PA! A unique regional rail partnership, SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) allows for industry focused investment, planning, infrastructure and service in the region. Over 200 miles of rail lines in the region are supported by award winning short line operator North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates to main lines Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific.
Water
Central PA has a significant supply of water from various sources. Major water providers in the region include Pennsylvania American Water and Aqua Pennsylvania that invest millions of dollars annually for quality, reliable infrastructure and systems. Other notable sources are local water authorities including the Bellefonte Water Authority utilizing a natural spring, Big Spring, that produces 15 million gallons of water daily. Industry and Agriculture also utilize the Susquehanna River with an average daily rush of 22 billion gallons of water.
Wastewater
Wastewater services are provided by private or local authorities and in some cases private on-site wastewater treatment facilities. The Milton Regional Sewer Authority has a total of 4.25 million gallons per day (GPD) capacity for high strength waste/food; the Sunbury Municipal Authority is designed to handle a flow of 4.2 million gallons per day (MGD); and the University Area Joint Authority servicing the State College area in Centre County, PA with wastewater and wastewater recycling has more than 4 million gallons per day (GPD) capacity and proudly operates an award winning biosolids composting facility.
Highways
Major interstates and highways serving the region are Interstate 99, Interstate 80, and Interstate 81; US Route 522/22; US Route 322/22; US Route 220; and US Route 11/15; as well as many State Routes. The region is served by PennDOT District 2 and District 3 where billions of dollars in improvement projects are taking place including the historical Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation project, over a billion dollar investment, constructing a new four lane limited access highway in Central PA. PennDOT Truck Route Map.
Fiber
PenTeleData, has a fully redundant network that has more than 60 Points of Presence served on 10,000+ miles of fiber optics throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey delivering Voice, Video, Data, and Internet services. Local internet providers include Service Electric.
Central PA Infrastructure Investment Projects
PennDOT District 3 2022 Construction Preview
Highways: In PennDOT's District 3 75 projects are anticipated to start or continue this year. The department anticipates investing more than $265 million this year in this region. Work plans include rehabilitating, reconstructing, and resurfacing 185 miles of highways...
PennDOT District 2 2022 Construction Preview
Highways: In PennDOT's District 2 98 projects are anticipated to start or continue this year, includes more than 210 miles of paving and repair or replacement of 53 bridges. In 2022 alone the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing at least $22 million in additional...
$69 Million Announced for Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway Construction
Highway: U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing $69 million for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rural Surface Transportation grant program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs...
Pennsylvania approves $26 million in funding for freight rail projects
Rail: The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission approved $26 million in state funding for 24 freight rail infrastructure projects receiving amounts ranging from $119,000 to $3 million under the Department of Transportation’s Rail Transportation Assistance...
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania launches environmentally friendly alternative fuel vehicle pilot program
Natural Gas: Columbia Gas officials announced today the launch of an alternative fuel vehicle pilot program that uses an adsorbed natural gas (ANG) platform developed by Ingevity Corporation, called NeuFuel, that, when used with renewable natural gas (RNG), has the...
PennDOT Awards $47.8 million in Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF)
Transportation: In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 56 projects were awarded $47.8 million in MTF funding throughout 28 counties. Read more
University Park Airport Awarded $8.59 Million Federal Grant
Airports: University Park Airport will receive an $8.59 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support an ongoing infrastructure improvement project. The $8.59 million award adds to the flow of much-needed funds for the airport that connects Centre County...
New Susquehanna Valley thruway ready to open
Highway: The first section of the $900 million thruway project was celebrated by officials, the opening of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation project, a four-lane limited-access new roadway that connects Route 147 in Northumberland County to Routes 11 and...
SEDA-COG Community Development Aids Communities in Achieving CDBG Funds
Water and Sewer: SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program recently helped communities in Clinton, Northumberland, Centre, and Juniata Counties receive Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) competitive and Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV)...
North Shore Railroad Embarks on New Endeavor in Snyder County
Rail: The North Shore Railroad Company (NSHR) made history as the only railroad to make the journey through Snyder County, other than Norfolk Southern (NS), in the past 23 years. In April 2022, SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) purchased the rail lines that serve...
UGI Utilities Announces 2022 Infrastructure Replacement and Betterment Projects
Natural Gas: UGI Utilities will spend more than $276 million in fiscal year 2022 to replace natural gas mains and associated facilities, as well as complete a number of system enhancement projects. Read more
Penn Valley Airport to receive $250,000 for project
Airports: Penn Valley Airport in Selinsgrove has been awarded $250,000 through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program for rehabilitation of T-hangar doors, roofs and walls, which will extend the life of the existing structure. Read more
Senator Casey Unveils Interactive Map to Highlight Federal Investments in Pennsylvania
Infrastructure: New interactive tool gives Pennsylvanians a county-by-county breakdown of federal dollars coming to the Commonwealth. Read more
PA counties receive grant funds for broadband internet expansion
Broadband: Several PA counties are set to benefit from state grant funding for broadband internet. The funding, designated by the Legislature as a part of the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program, will improve access to high-speed broadband. A Centre County...