[Press Release] : Governor unveils renewable energy project

Mon Oct 19 14:07:38 CDT 2009

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2009

CONTACTS: 
Columbia Water & Light: Connie Kacprowicz, (573) 874-7325
Ameresco: Jeanette Coleman-Hal (508) 661-2230 or Shelley Cohen (202)
422-4488 
Republic Services: Brad Zimmerman (573) 690-9364 or Peg Mulloy (480)
627-2887

Governor unveils renewable energy project 

	(Jefferson City, MO) -- Governor Jay Nixon today cut the ribbon
on an innovative, new renewable energy project in Jefferson City, Mo.
This renewable energy project, developed through a partnership between
Republic Services, Ameresco, Columbia Water & Light, and the state of
Missouri, was recently featured at the White House in a meeting hosted
by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The
project was highlighted for its contribution to creating jobs while
helping expand the development of clean, renewable domestic energy. 
	“This project creates a clean, reliable and consistent source
of energy from a naturally occurring byproduct of our landfills,” Gov.
Nixon said. “I commend this innovative partnership for the benefits it
will bring our economy, environment and communities.” 
	Republic Services Inc. (NYSE:RSG) and Ameresco partnered to
develop the landfill gas-to-electricity project that uses a gas
byproduct from the Jefferson City Landfill. Landfill gas, which is
created when organic material naturally decomposes in a landfill,
consists of about 50 percent methane. It is a readily available,
reliable local alternative energy source that offsets the need for
fossil fuels. The gas can be converted and used in many ways: to
generate electricity, heat or steam; or as an alternative vehicle fuel.

	“This project is the ultimate in recycling,” said Kevin
Walbridge, senior vice president Midwest Region, Republic Services.
“We are continually researching, developing and implementing
innovative technologies to help conserve natural resources.” 
	Ameresco, the nation’s largest independent energy services
company, designed, built, owns and operates the renewable energy
project. First, Ameresco constructed a 3-mile pipeline to carry the
landfill gas from the landfill to an engine facility located at the
Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC). The gas is used to generate
3.2 megawatts of electricity. The green power, which is purchased by
Columbia Water & Light, provides enough electricity to meet the needs of
nearly 2,000 Columbia Water & Light customers. It also reduces green
house gas emissions equivalent to planting 31,000 acres of trees and
removing almost 28,000 vehicles each year from Missouri roads. 
	“Projects like these create a domino effect through the
economy because they create jobs and require products and services.”
said Ameresco’s CEO  George Sakellaris. “The construction and
operation of Ameresco’s renewable energy project in Jefferson City
created and sustained about 80 jobs in Missouri and across the
nation.”  
	Additionally, Ameresco captures the waste heat generated from
the engines to provide steam and hot water for two state-owned
correctional centers. Greenhouse gas emissions reductions from using the
waste heat to offset natural gas in the boilers are equivalent to
heating 1,500 homes, planting 1,300 acres of trees and removing almost
1,000 vehicles each year from Missouri roads. Ameresco is also working
with the correctional facility to improve efficiency, reduce energy
demand and costs and to combine the Algoa and Jefferson City power
plants, reducing overall operations costs and saving taxpayer money.
Landfill gas-to-energy projects are win-win opportunities for all
parties involved, whether they are the landfill owner/operators, the
local utility, the local government or the surrounding community. 
	“For Columbia Water and Light and the city of Columbia, Mo.,
purchasing the power from this project helps us comply with the city’s
renewable portfolio standard by providing 2 percent of our electric
portfolio” said Darwin Hindman, mayor, Columbia, Mo. “This project
provides Columbia with a consistent, clean, green source of energy.” 
	“Northeast Energy Systems is pleased to supply GEJenbacher
technology to this project to support Ameresco's landfill
gas-to-electricity project at the Jefferson City landfill, and we look
forward to working with these partners on many other larger-scale
landfill gas projects within the US," said Fred Farrand, vice president,
Northeast Energy Systems. 
	The Jefferson City Landfill, which is owned and operated by
Republic Service’s subsidiary, Allied Waste, opened in 1979 and is one
of the main recipients of refuse from residents and businesses in the
area. The landfill covers 319 acres of land and employs eight area
residents. The Jefferson City Landfill is Republic’s second
gas-to-energy project in Missouri. The landfill gas project is one of
Republic Services’ 76 alternative energy projects at its landfills
nationwide. 

About Republic Services 
Republic Services is a leading provider of solid waste collection,
transfer, recycling and disposal services. Allied Waste merged with
Republic Services in December 2008. The company provides trash
collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential
customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection
companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213
solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is
headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., and has 34,000 employees. For more
information, visit the Republic Services Web site at
www.republicservices.com. 

About Ameresco 
Ameresco is the largest independent energy service company in North
America. In addition to its expertise in developing landfill gas
projects and other renewable energy sources, Ameresco has two other
energy service lines-energy conservation and energy risk mitigation. The
company has more than 550 employees in 50 regional offices throughout
North America, and it has constructed more than $4 billion in energy
projects throughout the world. Learn more at www.ameresco.com. 

Additional Partners 
State of Missouri Department of Corrections- http://www.doc.mo.gov/ 
Columbia Water & Light- http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/WaterandLight/ 

GE Jenbacher-
http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/recip_engines/en/index.htm

Northeast Energy Systems- http://www.neesys.com/ 

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