Ameresco Exemplifies Commitment to Landfill Gas Utilization

FRAMINGHAM, MA and Washington, D.C. – August 15, 2012 – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), has announced that Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, was awarded the SWANA Silver Excellence Award in Landfill Gas Utilization. Jim Bier, senior project developer, accepted the award on behalf of Ameresco. The award was presented at SWANA’s annual national conference, WASTECON, in Washington, D.C. yesterday.

According to SWANA, the Excellence Award was awarded to Ameresco for the success of its Santa Clara, California All Purpose Landfill Gas to Energy Facility (LFGTE).  After the previous LFGTE developer abandoned its plant, the City of Santa Clara was left with very few options to utilize the renewable energy resource at its All Purpose Landfill (Landfill). With a partnership beginning in 2006, Ameresco designed, built, and now owns and operates the new LFGTE plant that provides clean electricity to Silicon Valley Power customers through an innovative clean gas turbine technology. The Santa Clara plant utilizes an otherwise wasted energy resource with a net positive air impact.  Since no water is used, this project leaves almost no mark on the environment.

Ameresco, Inc. is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America, delivering long-term value through innovative systems, strategies and technologies. Ameresco’s solutions range from upgrades to facility’s energy infrastructure to the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants combined with tailored financial solutions. It works with customers on both sides of the meter to reduce operating expenses, upgrade and maintain facilities, stabilize energy costs, improve occupancy comfort levels, increase energy reliability and enhance the environment. In addition to its work with Santa Clara, Ameresco has a solid track record of successful biogas projects including Chiquita Canyon Landfill in California, San Antonio Water Systems in Texas and Dallas Water Utilities in Texas.

“We are very proud to be recognized for our partnership with the City of Santa Clara and our innovative solution to provide renewable energy for the community,” stated Joseph P. DeManche, executive vice president, Ameresco. “This project is an excellent example of a close team effort to make this project a reality. We are pleased to provide Santa Clara with renewable energy, and are dedicated to helping other communities throughout California and beyond to achieve their sustainability goals.”

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management through their commitment to utilizing effective technologies and processes in system design and operations, advancing worker and community health and safety, and implementing successful public education and outreach programs.  Programs also must demonstrate that they are fiscally and environmentally responsible through their compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.

About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) 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 63 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 900 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

About SWANA:
For nearly 50 years, the Solid Waste Association of North America has been the leading professional association in the solid waste field. Our association serves over 8,000 members throughout North America, and thousands more with conferences, certifications, publications, and technical training courses.