Date: February 24, 2009
Source: Renewable Solutions Group and Republic Services
Renewable Solutions Group and Republic Services to Open Georgia's First High Btu Landfill Gas Facility
Renewable Solutions Group and Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today announced the opening of Georgia's first High Btu landfill gas facility. The Winder Renewable Methane Facility is located at the Oak Grove Landfill near Atlanta and will provide a locally produced, cost-effective source of renewable energy for residential and commercial customers.
"Renewable Solutions Group and Republic Services are pleased to see this project come to fruition with the plant now operating and the first delivery of pipeline-quality gas. The landfill gas has been converted from a costly waste stream to a renewable energy source for Georgia residents," said David Wentworth, president of Renewable Solutions Group. "We're thrilled to provide cost-effective, clean, reliable energy to the region to help significantly improve regional air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that impact climate change."
The Winder Renewable Methane Facility began operations in December of 2008. By converting landfill gas to pipeline-quality gas, the project will not only offer economic cost-savings which are passed along to thousands of Georgia residents, commercial and industrial establishments, but also provides significant environmental benefits as well.
"We're excited to become the first provider in Georgia to offer this competitively priced source of gas to our members," said Arthur Corbin, CEO of the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. "Thousands of Georgia residents will directly benefit by having their homes heated by this renewable fuel and thousands more will benefit from cleaner air, and from living in progressive communities which are focused on removing harmful emissions from the environment."
According to the EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program emission reductions and environmental and energy benefits calculator, the plant's full capacity (over 2,500 dekatherms per day) will supply enough fuel to heat 10,500 homes. The process also results in the reduction of 44,500 tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year. CO2 is a significant contributor to smog and other harmful pollutants.
Republic Services, a leading provider of environmental services, uses innovative technologies to capture and use renewable energy from decomposing waste in landfills. "With the Oak Grove plant now operational, Republic Services and Renewable Solutions Group have together achieved a significant goal to initiate and complete this innovative landfill gas beneficial use project," said Bill Held, director of landfill gas projects for Republic Services, Inc. "We realize the environmental and economic value of these types of projects and congratulate our partner Renewable Solutions Group for implementing this innovative and productive use for the methane that is produced in the landfill."
Landfill gas, which is created when organic material in a municipal solid waste landfill decomposes, consists of about 50% methane (CH4), which as a greenhouse gas is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The gas from the Oak Grove Landfill is collected, processed and sold as pipeline-quality gas. Currently, there are more than 65 landfill gas facilities located on landfills owned by Republic Services.
The Winder Renewable Methane Facility has very low air emissions impact, but can produce sales gas up to 2,500 MMBtu per day. The facility will produce about 1.0 Bcf (1 million MMBtu) per year at design capacity.
Emission Reductions for a typical RENEWABLE High Btu Project (1,000,000 MMBtu/Year):
NOx - 17 tons/year
Carbon Dioxide - 45,000 tons/year
Renewable Energy Credit Potential - 75,000 MWh/year
About Renewable Solutions Group LLC
Renewable Solutions Group LLC (RENEWABLE) provides innovative, in-house expertise in engineering and process design for renewable energy technologies with primary focus on landfill gas ("LFG") to pipeline-quality gas ("High Btu"). RENEWABLE's principals represent a combined 35 years of design, development, and construction experience in the LFG to energy sector. As both project developer and owner, its business activities include: design and development of LFG-based cogeneration applications; LFG-based power generation; renewable energy project acquisition analysis; and work in the environmental and renewable energy credit markets. RENEWABLE also maintains a consulting practice, with numerous ongoing engagements with private, commercial and institutional clients throughout the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, the principals of RENEWABLE pioneered the design and development of the first High Btu LFG projects employing
membrane-based separation technology in North America.
About Republic Services, Inc.
Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider of services in the domestic, non-hazardous solid waste industry. We provide non-hazardous solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential customers through 427 collection companies in 40 states. We also own or operate 252 transfer stations, 216 solid waste landfills and 85 recycling facilities. Republic serves millions of residential customers under terms of contracts with more than 3,000 municipalities for waste collection and residential services. We also serve some commercial customers throughout our expansive service area.
Since incorporation, Republic Services has been committed to the essential components of integrated solid waste management services: collection, recycling, composting, transfer, and disposal. Each division of Republic Services is dedicated to preserving the environment while providing the most cost-effective programs for solid waste collection and disposal.
Republic Services has broad expertise in the waste management field, derived from a diverse array of hauling, transfer, recycling, and disposal operations. Very few companies can equal the operational capabilities, financial stability, capital resources, broad experience, geographic dispersion, integrated infrastructure, or transfer expertise that Republic Services brings to a project.
About Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia
The Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia ("MGAG") is the largest non-profit natural gas joint action agency in the United States, serving 76 Members in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania and Tennessee who meet the gas needs of approximately 240,000 customers. The Gas Authority was formed in 1987 by an Act of the Georgia General Assembly to assist Municipal Members who own and operate natural gas distribution systems. Members' systems are located on three interstate pipelines: Southern Natural Gas Company (Southern Natural), Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) and Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation (Texas Eastern).
For more information, contact:
Garet Hayes, Renewable Solutions Group - (404) 604-2602
Peg Mulloy, Republic Services Inc. - (480) 627-2887
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