Grant Recipients Announced for Clearway’s Pinnacle Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
Local groups ranging from local schools to fire departments awarded in Keyser wind farm’s $23,463 grant distribution
Keyser, WV – The US Wind Force Foundation, Inc. today announced the grant recipients for the Community Benefit Fund sponsored by Pinnacle Wind, which is indirectly owned and operated by Clearway Energy Group (“Clearway”). Twelve grants ranging from $450 to $2,838 and totaling $23,463 were allocated to local organizations, bringing the wind farm’s total local donations to $296,768.
Twenty-one completed grant applications were received and evaluated by a local Allocation Committee made up of eight members of the community. Awardees included area schools, fire departments, the public library, and other local groups that will apply grants to specific projects.
The committee is chaired by Keyser resident Cindy Pyles. “I appreciate the continued commitment and the amount of effort the Allocation Committee exerted in its review of the grant applications. They did an outstanding job. We appreciate that the developers of Pinnacle Wind designed a process for allocating grant money that allowed for local decision-making,” said Pyles.
The Pinnacle Wind Community Benefit Fund 2023 grant recipients are as follows:
| Applicant | Grant Amount | Purpose |
| Barton Hose Company No 1 Inc | $2,000 | Purchase of Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan |
| Boyce Houser Post 41 (American Legion) | $2,500 | Replacement of the social hall’s emergency exit doors |
| Catamount Children’s Center, Inc | $1,500 | Purchase of playground fencing |
| Developmental Center & Workshop, Inc | $2,500 | Installation of an ADA-compliant concrete ramp |
| Elk District Ambulance Service Inc | $2,500 | Replacement of culverts, blacktop area, duct installation, and replacement of wall heater |
| Elk District Volunteer Fire Co | $2,500 | Upgrade to fire hall entry, including survey, culverts, and blacktop asphalt |
| Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake, Inc. | $1,200 | Replacement of woodshed roof and construction of a greenhouse for native trees |
| Keyser High School | $2,838 | Purchase of personal finance supplemental textbooks and calculators |
| Keyser Lions Club | $2,000 | Installation of benches at the Senior Center |
| Keyser-Mineral Co Public Library | $450 | Purchase of three water and fireproof safes, two button makers, and three sticker makers |
| Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Department | $1,975 | Purchase of two Stihl chainsaws |
| Mineral Co Parks and Recreation | $1,500 | Purchase of movable bleachers for use at Larenim Soccer and Little League Fields |
| Total | $23,463 |
The Directors and Officers of the US Wind Force Foundation extended a special appreciation to the members of the Allocation Committee: Cindy Pyles, Chair; Logan DelSignore, Vice-Chair; Jeremy Boinovych, John Lecky, Walt Ward, Cliff Wendricks, Carol Wilson, and Hayward Wilson. Their service to the Foundation and the community is a critical part of the process.
“We are extremely proud to be part of this community,” said Doug Vance, plant manager with Clearway Energy Group. “We are honored to serve worthy civic organizations that provide essential services to families and businesses across West Virginia.”
Pinnacle Wind’s Community Benefit Fund, which was launched in 2012 and distributes $20,000 every year over the life of the project, is one of two annual charitable programs sponsored by Clearway’s wind energy facilities in West Virginia. The company’s Black Rock wind farm in Grant and Mineral counties administers a separate $50,000 Community Benefit Fund each spring.
For more information on how to apply or view past recipients, visit www.uswff.org.
About US Wind Force Foundation, Inc.
US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., a West Virginia nonprofit corporation, is organized exclusively for charitable purposes. Its primary purpose is to enhance the community by providing funding for projects related to education, historic preservation, public safety, economic development, public recreation, parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and other similar activities. It will provide funding to select not-for-profit community organizations and communities, consistent with its charter. It was founded by the partners of the project’s developer, US Wind Force, who now develops renewable energy projects as the owners of Laurel Renewable Partners, LLC. To learn more about the US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., visit the website www.uswff.org.