Local Officials and Industry Leaders Join Ameresco and San Joaquin County to Commemorate Completion of New Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

FRAMINGHAM, MA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 13, 2014 – 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.