Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy
efficiency and renewable
energy company, joined with local California officials and energy
industry leaders today to commemorate the completion of its 4.3 megawatt
(MWe) landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project at the Foothill Landfill in
Linden, CA.
“San Joaquin County is to be commended for its leadership in advancing
the Foothill Landfill project to help meet the County’s economic,
environmental and sustainability goals,” said Michael Bakas, Senior Vice
President, Ameresco. “We are excited to partner with the County on the
project and expect it will provide measureable financial and energy
benefits that will be instrumental in attaining the County’s goals and
help support the community’s requirements for the long-term.”
“The County of San Joaquin is committed to sustainability and the entire
community is working together to make a measurable difference,” said
Desi Reno, Integrated Waste Manager for San Joaquin County Department of
Public Works. “The landfill and the landfill gas-to-energy facility are
evidence of our dedication and commitment to our long-term strategy
supporting initiatives for a sustainable future.”
Reno continued, “The facility on the Foothill Landfill is expected to
generate 4.3MWe of clean energy which will provide clean power for more
than 2,600 local homes annually. Between the clean power and our organic
approach to vegetation management utilizing sheep to naturally trim the
growing vegetation at the site, we are making great strides towards
achieving our environmental goals and sustainability objectives.”
“To bring this project to fruition, Ameresco partnered with the City of
Palo Alto to provide the residents with clean energy at affordable
prices,” added Ameresco’s Bakas. “We are truly fortunate to have the
citizens of Palo Alto as clients. With the addition of the clean energy
from this new renewable resource, Ameresco anticipates that the total
electricity delivered for the Palo Alto community from Ameresco’s
renewable projects will be approximately 125,000 MWh annually, while
removing equivalently almost 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year from
the environment which has the same effect as the removal of the carbon
dioxide emissions from 83 million gallons of gasoline consumed by cars
per year.”
“We are delighted to partner with Ameresco to purchase the renewable
power generated at the Foothill Landfill facility,” said Nancy Shepherd,
Mayor for the City of Palo Alto. “Landfill gas-to-energy projects play a
critical role as they provide base-load generation at a competitive
price and allow our customers to benefit from a reliable, renewable
source of power.”
By using the landfill gas for these beneficial reuse projects and
replacing fossil fuels, the combined direct and avoided emissions
reduced for the 4.3 MWe produced from the Foothill LFGTE project is
equivalent to the following annual benefits: CO2 emissions
from 23.8 million gallons of gasoline consumed or carbon sequestered by
173,288 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
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.
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.
About San Joaquin County and Foothill, Inc.
San Joaquin
County is comprised of approximately 921,600 acres and has approximately
704,379 residents in seven cities. Each city, as well as the
unincorporated County areas, offers a unique opportunity to enjoy
natural California beauty, nature, music, arts, and culture. Foothill
Sanitary Landfill, located along the eastern boarder of San Joaquin
County and the largest landfill site in the County, began operations in
1965 and was acquired by the County in 1993. The landfill is
approximately 800 acres, with 674 acres permitted for disposal. Based on
engineer’s estimates, the site will be actively used for disposal until
2082. Foothill is operated by Foothill, Inc., under contract with the
County. The Landfill serves Stockton, Tracy, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon,
Lathrop, Escalon and San Joaquin County, and is the destination of waste
generated at The Tracy Delta Materials Recovery Facility, The Lovelace
Transfer Station, local solid waste collectors and by residents of the
surrounding areas. For more information, visit http://www.sjgov.org/.
About City of Palo Alto
The City of Palo Alto has operated
its own electric utility for more than 100 years. Located 35 miles south
of San Francisco and 14 miles north of San Jose, Palo Alto is a
community of approximately 64,400 residents. Part of the San Francisco
Metropolitan Bay Area and the Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is located
within Santa Clara County and borders San Mateo County. The City
encompasses an area of approximately 26 square miles, of which one-third
is open space. The blend of business and residential areas anchored by a
vibrant downtown defines Palo Alto’s unique character. Palo Alto is
recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technological
development. This exciting mix of tradition and innovation makes Palo
Alto an extraordinary place. Unique among California cities, Palo Alto
is a full-service municipality that owns and operates its gas, electric,
water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage services at very competitive
rates for its customers. For more information, visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/.
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 33 states, five Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom. Ameresco
has more than 1000 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.
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