U.S. EPA Honors Ameresco, Dairyland Power for Landfill Gas Work
Release Date: 1/19/2005
FRAMINGHAM, MA– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today named Ameresco, Inc. its “Industry Partner of the Year” for 2004. The award is the environmental agency’s highest recognition for achievement by a developer in the landfill gas industry. This marks the second consecutive year that Ameresco has received the distinguished award, given annually to recognize contributions of landfill gas developers to improving the environment. “Idle landfills are a valuable renewable energy resource capable of producing important economic and environmental benefits,” said George P. Sakellaris, Ameresco president and CEO. “We’re proud that our ability to recover landfill gas and use it to generate “green” electricity helps strengthen the economies of local communities while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.” In 2004, Ameresco worked with its project partners to develop and bring online five new landfill gas utilization facilities, more than doubling the company’s portfolio. When completed, the company’s current and planned landfill gas projects will produce 81 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power nearly 53,000 average homes and reduce methane gas emissions by 300,000 tons. More than 7.5 million barrels of oil would be needed to generate an equivalent amount of energy. The award was presented by the EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) at its annual conference in Baltimore. The program promotes the recovery and beneficial use of landfill gas as a renewable, green energy source. The gas is the natural by-product of solid waste landfills. The program helps protect the environment and build a sustainable future by promoting the recovery and beneficial use of landfill gas. “Ameresco continues to make its mark on the landfill gas industry by relying upon innovation with regard to project structure and technologies to create viable landfill gas utilization projects," said Brian Guzzone, Team Leader with U.S. EPA’s LMOP, during the awards ceremony. "Their ‘repeat’ is indicative of Ameresco's ability to overcome barriers and quickly make new projects happen.” The EPA also named Dairyland Power Cooperative its “Energy Partner of the Year.” Dairyland is a partner in the Onyx Seven Mile Creek Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project (Eau Claire, WI). The utility teamed with Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Ameresco, Onyx Waste Services and Waukesha Engines to develop the three-megawatt project. The facility – designed, constructed and operated by Ameresco – provides electricity to residential and business customers in Dairyland’s cooperative system.
