Coal, an energy source that once heated numerous homes across Western Pennsylvania, remains abundant underground. But it continues to lose prominence on the energy grid.

Solar and wind power have surpassed coal as sources of electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. EIA said this has occurred not only in the United States, but globally.

Those two sustainable energy sources “officially” passed the use of coal for power generation from January through July 2024, the Center for Energy Policy and Management at Washington & Jefferson College reported in a recent online newsletter.

CEPM said, “This development not only illustrates the growing capacity of green energy, but also reflects changing markets, technological advancements and regulatory pressures that all contribute to making renewable energy economically viable.”

EIA reported that wind energy alone generated 45.9 terrawatt hours of electricity in March 2024, while coal generated 38.4 TWh.

High marks

Washington & Jefferson College ranks high in the eyes of U.S. News & World Report.

The online news source, which compiles rankings in academia and various other professions, recently announced that it ranks W&J in the top 50 among national liberal arts colleges in two categories. The school is 41st for Best Value and 48th for Social Mobility.

W&J also is 90th among national liberal arts colleges and is in the top 255 for economics undergraduate programs for all colleges.

Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, president of W&J, said in a statement that the college “continues to underscore its national reputation and reach through these impressive rankings. We are especially excited to have two rankings in the top 50 for liberal arts colleges nationally.”

W&J also has earned top rankings from The Wall Street Journal, Niche, Money Magazine, Washington Monthly, and Colleges of Distinction.

Van service for vets

Veterans from Greene County in need of a ride to Pittsburgh for medical appointments can get one through the Greene County Veteran Affairs Office.

The office is offering free transportation to appointments at the VA Pittsburgh Medical Center. The Disabled American Veterans van runs Monday through Thursday, departing at 7 a.m. from the Burger King in Waynesburg.

The Greene County Veteran Affairs Office advises veterans to first make their appointments with the VA Pittsburgh Medical Center, then call the Greene office (724-852-5275) to schedule a van ride on the DAV Van.

Kathy Cipcic, director of the veteran affairs office, said in a statement: “We are committed to providing our veterans with the support and resources they deserve.”

Gaming board

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently released its 17th annual Diversity Report, which describes activities at each casino related to the commonwealth’s goal of enhancing representation of diverse groups in the gaming industry.

Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, in North Strabane Township, is among the facilities.

Key findings:

The state’s 17 casinos collectively employed 15,857 individuals at the end of the 2023-2024 state fiscal year;

14,235 of those employees (89.8%) reside in Pennsylvania;

41.4% of the employees are racial minorities and 41.6% are female;

Of $1.05 billion spent by casinos in 2023-2024, with other businesses for construction and non-construction purchases, 50.8% was spent with businesses local to the casino facility.

This report can be downloaded as a PDF document by choosing Organization Reports, under the About PGCB tab on the agency’s website, gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/.

Banking

Jacob Breakstone of Upper St. Clair has joined First Commonwealth Bank as a corporate banker and relationship manager in the bank’s Metro PA-Pittsburgh team.

Breakstone has spent more than eight years in accounting services, with a focus on asset-based lending and field examination services. Most recently, he served in a commercial banking role at S&T Bank for two years. Each bank is based in Indiana, Pa.

“We are excited to add Jake to our corporate banking team,” said Frank Bovina, First Commonwealth’s corporate banking group manager for the Metro PA’s seven-county region. That area includes Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.

Breakstone will focus on business development of new prospecting customers and managing existing relationships in the middle market sector.