Congressman Doyle, Mr. Carlino, Mr. Landis, Lt. Governor Fetterman, Mr. Gdovic, & Executive Fitzgerald (L to R) cut the ribbon to celebrate the new WindStax wind turbine.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Historic Pump House Celebrates New WindStax Wind Turbine
Congressman Mike Doyle, Lt. Governor John Fetterman, and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald spoke at socially-distanced event.
Homestead, PA (November 25, 2020)—Rivers of Steel celebrated the installation of a new WindStax wind turbine at the Pump House with a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday with elected officials, including Congressman Mike Doyle, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, and key stakeholders David Landis, president of Epic Metals and Ron Gdovic, the founder and CEO of WindStax Energy.
The venerable history of the history of the site was reflected in the comments from the Congressman and the Lieutenant Governor.
“We showcase industries of the future and we’re doing it here—commemorating our region’s proud industrial past,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle. “This wind turbine behind us, it’s not only a symbol of Pittsburgh’s past and future…it’s also putting people on notice that Pittsburgh is going to be leading the nation in developing more sustainable energy technologies for the future.”
“The Pump House is a beautiful structure and what it stands for and symbolizes,” said Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman “I can think of no finer addition than something that celebrates our commitment to renewable energy, and acknowledging and celebrating the past, but moving on to the future.”
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald acknowledged the roles that businesspersons like David Landis and Ron Gdovic play in our region’s development.
“It’s folks like David and Ron—and the companies that they lead—are taking us to the next level of where we’re going to go as a region,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “I’m so proud because this place—western Pennsylvania—is showing the way for the rest of the country and the economy.”
The WindStax 40′ turbine, developed by Ron Gdovic and WindStax Energy, is comprised of state-of-the-art, large, vertical axis turbines that will offset the utility expenses at the Pump House with renewable energy, providing long-term support for Rivers of Steel through its ability to send the electricity it generates back to the utility grid. Funding for the wind turbine was donated by the Epic Metals Corporation Charitable Foundation, directed by David Landis.
Rivers of Steel’s President and CEO August Carlino also reflected how WindStax Energy and Epic Metals contribute to our region’s development.
“We talk about industry, and when we think about it, you think about these large industrial facilities like U.S. Steel that dominated this site,” said Carlino. “But what often gets lost in the history is the critical backbone to the support of these industries—and that is the medium and smaller sized businesses that literally employed tens of thousands of people, and still do throughout southwest Pennsylvania. Epic Metals is so symbolic of that—an industry that supports all that is going on—not just in the history of this region and this valley—but in the transformation of the region.”
In addition to comments given by the elected officials and Rivers of Steel, David Landis and Ronald Gdovic, spoke about the impact of this project.
David Landis recollected how the idea for this installation began in June of 2019, and mentioned how a similar installation at Epic Metals in Braddock provided power for one of their buildings, citing its environmental benefits: “The river valley provides a natural path for generating wind energy that does not create any pollution.”
“This is really a symbol of new energy,” said Gdovic. “Pittsburgh has always been an innovator in energy. This entire Mon Valley had so much power running through it, led by companies like Westinghouse and many others. Pittsburgh has always been known for its innovations in energy. This is really a testament to energies of the future.”
“This transition to renewable energy is such an opportunity, not only to southwestern Pennsylvania, but the United States, and the planet in general,” Gdovic continued.
Epic Metals, located across the Monongahela River in Braddock and Rankin, has been manufacturing steel roof and floor deck ceiling systems for more than 52 years. Beginning in 2010, Epic Metals recognized the importance of sustainability. At its main office and manufacturing locations there are solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle charging stations to reduce Epic’s carbon footprint. Mr. Landis is a member of Pittsburgh’s CEOs for Sustainability and on the Board of Trustees of the Braddock Carnegie Library.
WindStax Energy is a full-service developer of integrated renewable energy solutions. WindStax makes the largest vertical wind turbines in the United States. Their award-winning wind and solar microgrids are changing the industry’s perspective of “energy as a commodity” to “energy as an opportunity.”
The Pump House dates back to 1892 when it was built by the Carnegie Steel Company. That same year it was the site of the Battle of Homestead, a defining moment in the nation’s labor history. Today, the building and its adjacent water tower help to interpret the nationally significant events of 1892 and highlight the illustrious steel-making legacy of the region.
The Pump House is one of four historical attractions managed by Rivers of Steel. As the owner and steward of the Pump House and surrounding grounds, River of Steel secures its industrial and cultural legacy for future generations, while allowing for its use as a public and private multi-use site.
In the spring through fall seasons, it functions as a trailhead for the Great Allegheny Passage. The public is welcome to visit its grounds, which offer views of the Monongahela River, the Carrie Blast furnaces, industrial relics and public art, including a meditative stone labyrinth. Interpretive panels on-site help visitors gain insight into the importance of this historic site.
Private and group tours of the interior of the Pump House are available by appointment. It is also a popular venue for wedding receptions and family celebrations.
For more information about the Pump House or Rivers of Steel in general, contact Carly McCoy, director of marketing, via cmccoy@riversofsteel.com.
About Rivers of Steel
Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.
Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of our region’s industrial and cultural heritage through its historical and 21st-century attractions―offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Behind the scenes, Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization—working at the grassroots level to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.
Contact Carly McCoy at 412.464.4020, ext. 243 or by emailing cmccoy@riversofsteel.com.
Rivers of Steel | The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead PA 15120
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