Anheuser-Busch Champions Use of Alternative Fuels

Houston, TX – Anheuser-Busch, which has long believed in preserving the environment, will run its Houston brewery on more than 60 percent alternative fuel following completion of its latest project.

Anheuser-Busch has entered into an agreement with Ameresco McCarty Energy to purchase biogas from Allied Waste Services’ McCarty Road Landfill, making use of an alternative fuel source for the company’s Houston brewery. The biogas is a natural byproduct of waste decomposition at the landfill. Currently, some of the biogas from the McCarty Road Landfill is being captured, processed and sold to a local utility, while the excess is flared (burned without energy recovery). Ameresco plans to capture some of that unused biogas and transport it to the Anheuser-Busch brewery through a four-mile underground pipeline.“We routinely evaluate innovative energy technologies to help support our operations and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Steve Ghiglieri, senior plant manager of Anheuser Busch’s Houston brewery. “When combining the fuel we collect from the landfill with the existing biogas collected through the brewery’s Bio-Energy Recovery System (BERS) operation, we anticipate more than 60 percent of the fuel we use will be produced from non-fossil fuel alternative sources.”

Anheuser-Busch is the world’s largest operator of BERS, and it provides up to 15 percent of Anheuser-Busch’s fuel needs at the breweries where these systems operate. The BERS operation at the Houston brewery currently provides more than 10 percent of that facility’s needs. BERS technology converts leftover water from the brewing process into an alternative biogas that is used as fuel at nine of Anheuser Busch’s 12 U.S. breweries. A tenth brewery located in Fairfield, Calif. Is currently installing a BERS operation.

Allied Waste Services contracted with Ameresco in 2005 to put the excess biogas produced by the McCarty Road landfill to beneficial use. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to begin this week. When it is completed and operational this year, the pipeline will provide biogas to help generate steam energy for the Houston brewery’s power plant.

“Ameresco is proud to be part of such a forward looking project that has such tremendous societal benefits,” said Michael T. Bakas, vice president of Ameresco. “In addition, we are excited to have the opportunity to work with Anheuser Busch and Allied Waste Services, whose vision and passion for positively impacting our environment are aligned with Ameresco’s.”

“This important landfill gas-to-energy project will utilize a valuable, renewable resource and, in the process, produce benefits for Anheuser-Busch, the local community and state and, ultimately, the environment,” said Gary McCuistion, director of infrastructure development for Allied Waste’s southwest region. “We look forward to working closely with our partners Anheuser-Busch and Ameresco to realize the great promise of this innovative project.”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) was an instrumental resource in the development of this project. The LMOP is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that promotes the use of landfill gas as a renewable, green energy source. Anheuser-Busch, Ameresco, and Allied Waste are all members of the LMOP.

“Reducing greenhouse gases while also reducing our dependence on foreign fuel is a win-win for the environment and for business,” said Richard E. Greene, regional administrator for the EPA. “EPA is pleased to be working with America’s leading companies on innovative projects that produce clean, renewable energy right here at home.”

In addition, as a member of the EPA’s Climate Leaders program, Anheuser-Busch routinely explores advanced technologies to improve efficiencies, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities, while maintaining its strict quality standards for its beer brands.
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting reduction goals and annually reporting the results to EPA. Through program participation, companies create a credible record of their accomplishments and receive EPA recognition as corporate environmental leaders.

“Anheuser-Busch has a long history of environmental stewardship, dating back to the late 1800s when our founder Adolphus Busch began recycling grain from the brewing process as cattle feed, a tradition that continues today,” said Ghiglieri. “Since that time, we have taken great pride in our ongoing reduction of environmental impacts by increasing efficiencies at our facilities and using innovative technologies. This project is just another example of our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Ameresco, Inc. is the largest independent comprehensive energy solutions provider in North America. Headquartered in Framingham, Mass., Ameresco utilizes innovative strategies, systems and technologies for renewable and sustainable energy generation and infrastructure renewal, thereby reducing operating expenses, increasing energy reliability and enhancing the environment. More information about Ameresco can be found at www.ameresco.com.

Allied Waste is America’s second largest non-hazardous solid waste services company and an environmental leader. Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Allied Waste provides waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial and industrial customers in over 100 major markets spanning 37 states and Puerto Rico. Our team of 22,000 dedicated employees operates within a highly efficient, integrated organization that generated 2007 revenue of $6.1 billion. Additional information about Allied can be found at www.alliedwaste.com.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2008. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.