ETNA, Pa. – In the latest win for Pennsylvania’s clean energy sector, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Westinghouse Electric Corp. today to announce that the Pittsburgh-based company will further develop the eVinci microreactor in Allegheny County. As part of its project, the company will invest at least $18 million and create more than 40 new jobs to develop the transportable nuclear battery technology, which will provide clean energy for a variety of applications including off-grid communities, remote mining, defense facilities and data centers, the company says.
Westinghouse signed the lease for an 87,420-square-foot building at 51 Bridge Street in Etna borough to create a technology accelerator that will support commercialization of the microreactor. In addition to advancing the technology being developed for the eVinci microreactor, Westinghouse says it will also manufacture certain components at this facility that do not involve any nuclear materials. These new manufacturing jobs will be created within the next three years, the company says.
“Todayʼs announcement is just the latest in a long line of Westinghouse innovations – each one a result of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanianʼs legacy as an energy leader,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I believe Pennsylvania should play a central role in efforts to connect the dots and invest in clean sources of energy, and that’s why my administrationʼs energy policy ensures we have a diverse and reliable portfolio of energy resources that fosters innovation, protects our communities and our planet, and creates jobs. Together, we can usher in a new chapter of innovation and energy leadership here in Pennsylvania.”
Westinghouse received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $1,083,250 Pennsylvania First grant to support the site. In addition to the new jobs created by this project, Westinghouse has committed to retaining over 3,100 employees at its seven facilities across the Commonwealth, including its global headquarters.
The facility at 51 Bridge Street is owned by the AM Group, a New York-based real estate private equity firm, who purchased it in September 2020 with a plan to redevelop the building for modern use. The AM Group was the recipient of $3.1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding to help redevelop the property. They also received a $450,195 Multimodal Transportation fund grant used for streetscape improvements around the facility.
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