Congressman-elect LaMalfa Joins Butte County and Ameresco Officials to Mark Completion of Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

FRAMINGHAM, MA and PARADISE, CA – December 5, 2012 – Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today joined with California and Butte County officials to commemorate the completion of its 2.2 megawatt (MW) landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project at the Neal Road Recycling & Waste Facility in Paradise, CA.  U.S. Congressman-elect Doug LaMalfa and Butte County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Steve Lambert, joined Ameresco officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the innovative renewable energy project that is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 1,300 homes, and is expected to save the County significant amounts of money through reduced energy costs and royalty payments over the next 20 years.

“We need domestic energy production.  This is a great example of taking waste and creating power from it,” said Congressman-elect LaMalfa.  “I applaud the efforts of Butte County and their project partner, Ameresco, for creating energy and local jobs here in this community.”

Ameresco designed and built the facility, and will own, operate and maintain it for the duration of the 20-year contract.  The facility will collect methane gas produced by decaying organic materials and process it to generate power, with a portion of the revenues from the sale of that power returned to the County for the duration of the contract.  The clean energy produced from the project will be sold to Alameda Municipal Power through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

“After years of hard work, I am really pleased with the completion of this project,” said Steve Lambert, Chair of the Butte County Board of Supervisors.  “This innovative public-private partnership further increases the County’s renewable energy production while generating revenues for the County.  I want to thank all those who made the project possible, including the Board of Supervisors, Ameresco, PG&E, permitting agencies, as well as County staff.”

Landfill gas is the largest source 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, 45 percent CO2, and 5 percent other components.  The current facility is expected to generate enough clean energy to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by over 10,400 tons of CO2 annually, which is equivalent to removing nearly 1,900 cars from the roads or planting over 2,000 acres of trees.  These environmental benefits will nearly double when the plant is expanded, as currently expected, to 4.3 MW in the near future.

“We have worked with several counties and municipalities throughout the country to convert landfill gas from an environmental liability into an economic and environmental boon, and Butte County is to be applauded for having the foresight to advance this project,” said Michael T. Bakas, Senior Vice President of Ameresco.  “We are thrilled to have partnered with Butte County to provide its residents with clean energy, and we look forward to helping them achieve their economic and sustainability goals through the measurable financial and energy benefits LFGTE projects provide.”

Ameresco’s LFGTE services improve greenhouse gas compliance and provide revenue for landfill owners while providing end users with a clean, renewable option for their energy.  Ameresco also offers biomass, geothermal, wind and solar projects, as well as energy efficiency solutions and Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs).

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.