Design-Build & EPC
September 15, 2025
Ameresco Completes $5.3M Energy Infrastructure Project at Ave Maria University
Last month I traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky to commemorate the achievement of the Benson Valley Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plant reaching commercial operation. This occasion marked our eighth renewable energy collaboration with Republic Services, a valued long-term partner of Ameresco who shares in our vision of creating a sustainable world.
During the plant tour, I was accompanied by the dedicated Ameresco team and my son, Peter. I felt a particular sense of pride knowing this project will bring clean energy resources to the regional economy, plus reduce an impressive 27,440 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Very importantly, this — and other energy resources like it — will leave a lasting impact on my son’s generation and beyond.
Climate change is one of the most pressing threats to our planet. To mitigate the impact of fossil fuels, decarbonizing our energy systems is paramount. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released from organic waste, being up to 80 times more potent than carbon. According to the RNG Coalition, solid waste is projected to grow nearly 70% by 2050 due to natural human activity. RNG is designed to beneficially reuse organic waste and play a pivotal role in reducing emissions. The plants are designed to capture harmful methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and convert it into a valuable resource.
The benefits of RNG plants extend beyond the environmental impact. Constructing and operating RNG plants create employment opportunities for skilled laborers, while pipeline-quality RNG produced can power both residential and commercial buildings, replacing traditional fossil fuels. One of the key strengths of RNG plants is their versatility. By transforming waste products into an energy source, they provide a reliable source of firm renewable energy.
Our biogas portfolio began over 20 years ago under the leadership of Ameresco’s Executive Vice President, Michael Bakas, who has dedicated his career to make RNG mainstream. He developed some of the earliest projects beginning in Massachusetts in 2001 with Ameresco’s first “green” landfill gas-to-energy power plant. Since then, Mike has assembled a fully integrated team of experts who are developing and operating state-of-the-art RNG plants designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for our customers and lower reliance on fossil fuels.
The potential for RNG plants is immense, and further development of this technology can play a pivotal role in addressing global climate change. That’s why it was crucial for me to bring my son to this celebration. Exposing him to the impact of carbon reduction initiatives and technologies helps instill in him a sense of responsibility and empowers the next generation to effect change.
The journey towards a sustainable future is an ongoing one, and the achievement of bringing the Benson Valley Landfill Gas to RNG Plant online is a significant milestone for Ameresco. By continuing to embrace innovative technologies and collaborative partnerships, we can create a better world for future generations.
# Originally published on LinkedIn. #
Renewable and clean gas options that are available today represent a tiny fraction of the overall market for fossil gas. To achieve ambitious decarbonization goals set forth by countries, states, municipalities and corporations, alternative fuels need to scale quickly.
