Drexel interns' 'green' project intrigues

Published: February 23, 2010

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It's easy to talk green energy, but Mount Carmel may have its own living, breathing "green home" later this year.

The project involves two students from Drexel University who began work last fall in the borough through a cooperative effort between the university and Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC). KETEC is a unique compilation of experts who, since late 2008, have been working to attract alternative-energy experts to the lower anthracite region.

The students will soon wrap up their six-month internships, but they will pass their work along to the next pair, and that process will continue until the house is built.

Drexel, among Pennsylvania's - if not the nation's - more well-respected universities, gave approval to this unique endeavour, and that certainly lends credibility to it.

Drexel, in fact, promotes itself as a pioneer in cooperative education. Its co-op program, which began in 1919, is one of the largest in the nation. More than 1,500 business, industrial, governmental and other institutions "cooperate" with Drexel in offering students the opportunity to acquire practical experience in employment related to college studies.

We're fortunate to have them here.

The Drexel "green home" is scheduled to be built at a now-vacant lot along Water Street. Using solar panels, radiant floor heating and a rainwater harvesting system, among other techniques, such a structure will no doubt become a focal point of study for anyone from high school and college students to contractors, homeowners, engineers and others interested in energy efficiency and alterative energy sources.

A side benefit is, simply, the construction of a new home in the borough. It could improve surrounding home values and spark renovations or improvements to neighboring structures.

Bringing students to Mount Carmel - not just for "study," but to actually construct a home - is a noteworthy development in KETEC's efforts to stimulate green thinking at all levels, and put this region on the map with it.

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