Erie, Pa.—Senator Bob Casey and Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper today visited the largest Swiss cheese producer in Pennsylvania, Fairview Swiss Cheese in Fredonia, Pa. During their visit, Sen. Casey and Rep. Dahlkemper saw the work being done with federal funding received by Fairview Swiss Cheese.
“Today’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the innovative work being done at Fairview Swiss Cheese,” said Senator Casey. “Fairview Swiss Cheese’s use of food waste and cheese whey and converting it into energy is a great example of Pennsylvania’s leadership in renewable energy.”
"A project like this is an example to businesses nationwide on how an innovative and forward-thinking company that is committed to an American-made product can succeed in the new economy," Dahlkemper said. "It also shows how a progressive company can really make a positive difference to their bottom line, while at the same time making decisions that are good for the environment."
Sen. Casey and Rep. Dahlkemper serve on the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture, respectively. Fairview Swiss Cheese is the largest producer of Swiss cheese in the state and recently completed a $2.2 million advanced energy project made possible in part by a $500,000 contribution from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This energy project, called an anaerobic digester, converts food waste and cheese whey into energy replacing over $160,000 per year of electricity with renewable energy for direct use in manufacturing cheese.
During their visit, Sen. Casey and Rep. Dahlkemper were joined by representatives from USDA, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Wilson Engineering and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection.
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