Local Officials and Industry Leaders Join Ameresco and Republic Services to Mark Completion of New Landfill Gas-to-Energy Projects
Grand opening celebrations at Forward Landfill and Vasco Road Landfill to recognize the completion of the combined 8.6 MWe landfill gas-to-energy projects, which are expected to generate clean energy to power 5,100 local homes and businesses annually
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, joined with local California officials and energy industry leaders on Thursday to commemorate the completion of its 4.3 megawatt (MWe) landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project at the Forward Landfill in Manteca, CA and again on Friday at the Vasco Road Landfill in Livermore, CA to celebrate the completion of its 4.3 MWe LFGTE project. Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local community, and Santa Clara Silicon Valley Power (SVP) participated with Republic Services and Ameresco.
Ameresco has designed/built over 170 MWe of biogas facilities across the United States. The Company has partnered with both public and private enterprises to convert landfill gas from an environmental liability into an economic and environmental benefit while at the same time displacing fossil fuel normally used to produce this same amount of energy.
“Republic Services is to be applauded for having the foresight to advance both the Vasco Road Landfill and Forward Landfill projects to help meet their economic and sustainability goals through the measurable financial and energy benefits these projects provide,” said Michael Bakas, Senior Vice President, Ameresco. “These two new projects, along with seven other projects Ameresco developed with long-term partner Republic Services, generate more than 65 MWe.”
“At Republic, sustainability is more than a commitment, it is a guiding principle,” said Kevin Basso, general manager for Republic Services’ Forward Landfill located near the city of Manteca. “This landfill and the landfill gas-to-energy facility are a testament to the will of the people who live and work here. They are the result of decades of partnership, planning, and development as well as significant investment, experience and expertise.”
“The facility on our Vasco Road Landfill, combined with the second new facility located at Republic’s nearby Forward Landfill, are expected to generate 8.6 MWe of clean energy which will provide clean power for more than 5,100 local homes and businesses annually,” said Rick King, general manager for Republic Services’ Vasco Road Landfill located in Livermore, CA. “Then there’s the additional benefit of helping to reduce the community’s carbon footprint, too.”
Ameresco’s Bakas added, “In order to bring these projects to fruition, Ameresco partnered once again with Silicon Valley Power, a very progressive utility determined to provide the residents and local business community with clean energy at affordable prices. We are fortunate to have the citizens of Santa Clara as clients and look forward to serving them with energy from this new renewable resource.”
“We are pleased to partner with Ameresco on its landfill gas-to-electricity projects and to purchase the power generated from these renewable resources,” said John Roukema, Utility Director for Silicon Valley Power. “These LFGTE projects play a critical role as they provide base-load generation at a competitive price, and enable us to comply with California’s RPS requirements for our customers. Our customers benefit from a reliable, renewable source of power.”
Landfills are one of the largest sources of human-made methane emissions in the United States. A natural product of waste decomposition, landfill gas is made up of roughly 50 percent methane, 50 percent CO2, and less than one percent other non-methane organic compounds. Ameresco’s LFGTE facilities safely divert landfill gas through extraction wells and pipe it to a landfill gas-to-energy plant, where it is cleaned before specialized engines convert it to electricity for sale to the electricity marketplace. The LFGTE facilities also help to improve greenhouse gas compliance and provide revenue for landfill owners while providing end users with a clean, renewable option for their energy.
By using the landfill gas for these beneficial reuse projects and replacing fossil fuels, the combined direct and avoided emissions reduced for the 8.6 MWe produced from landfill gas is equivalent to the following annual benefits: CO2 emissions from 47.6 million gallons of gasoline consumed or carbon sequestered by 346,576 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
About Silicon Valley Power
Silicon Valley Power is the trademark adopted for use by the not-for-profit electric municipal utility of Santa Clara, CA serving residents and businesses for over 100 years. SVP provides power to more than 50,000 customers, including Applied Materials, Intel, National Semiconductor and Yahoo!, at rates 25 to 45 percent below neighboring communities. SVP also offers customers a 100 percent renewable energy option through its Santa Clara Green Power program and is an active participant in the wholesale energy markets in the Western United States. Visit siliconvalleypower.com for more information.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco’s services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 69 offices in 34 states, five Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom. Ameresco has more than 900 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.
Ameresco, Inc.
CarolAnn Hibbard, 508-661-2264
news@ameresco.com
Source: Ameresco, Inc.
Released September 30, 2014
