(Source: Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.))
By Mike Joseph, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.
Oct. 16--STATE COLLEGE -- Following tens of thousands of people from throughout Pennsylvania, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter will come to State College today and Saturday for Penn State's homecoming, an aide said.
Specter, who is seeking re-election to his sixth term next year, will join in the university's homecoming parade this afternoon, along
with Penn State alum and former covert CIA operative Valerie Plame.
Before that, the senator will announce two U.S. Department of Energy grants to Penn State totaling $5.5 million. He will also meet in a town-hall style meeting with Penn State students.
On Saturday, Specter will go to the football game with Minnesota, tailgating beforehand with Penn State President Graham Spanier, the aide said.
The two grants will place Penn State at the center of the nation's efforts to become energy independent and develop clean energy sources, Specter's office said.
One grant will establish the Mid- Atlantic Clean Energy Applications Center to promote adoption of clean energy technology by industry and government in the six Mid Atlantic states.
The other grant provides funding to establish the Mid-Atlantic Solar Resource and Training Center aimed at developing the solar energy industry through technical assistance and workforce development.
Dr. David Wormley, dean of Penn State's College of Engineering, will join Specter at the announcement at 2:15 p.m. at the MorningStar solar home at the corner of Park Avenue and Porter Road near Beaver Stadium.
Specter, changed party affiliation from Republican to Democratic in April. He faces a primary election challenge next year from U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. Recent polls show the Republican front-runner in the Senate race, former congressman Pat Toomey, leading both Democrats.
Mike Joseph can be reached at 235-3910.
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