Date: May 10, 2011
Source: Republic Services, Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Republic Services, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) and Fortistar (White Plains, NY) have broken ground on a 6.4 megawatt landfill gas-to-energy project at Republic's Old Dominion Landfill in Richmond, VA which will produce power to be sold under a long-term power purchase agreement with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. The plant, which will achieve commercial operation in late Fall 2011, will utilize four Caterpillar G3520 reciprocating generators, each rated at 1.6 megawatts, to help meet the power needs of about 3,700 area homes. This adds to the over 20 projects Fortistar currently operates on Republic Services landfills. Fortistar has ownership stakes in over 60 renewable energy projects in North America, with total generating capacity exceeding 3,000 MW.
PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2011
Republic Services, Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Break Ground On New Landfill-Gas-To-Energy Facility In Virginia
Thousands of area homes to be powered by landfill gas
Leading environmental services company Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG), Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) celebrated their joint power purchase agreement for a new, state-of-the-art landfill gas-to-energy power plant in Virginia with a public groundbreaking event at the site today.
FORTISTAR will start construction on a 6.4 megawatt renewable energy facility, called Richmond Energy LLC, at Republic Services' Old Dominion Sanitary Landfill in Richmond, The plant is expected to achieve commercial operation in late Fall 2011; the output will be sold to ODEC under a long term power purchase agreement.
The Richmond Energy project will use four Caterpillar G3520 reciprocating engine generator sets, each rated at 1.6 megawatts, and with the support of associated landfill gas clean-up and compression equipment, is expected to meet the total electrical energy needs of approximately 3,700 Virginia residences. It is also expected the facility will add one to two new full time jobs, in addition to the 10 to 15 jobs associated with the design and construction of the project.
This is the first power purchase agreement Fortistar will complete with ODEC and adds to the over 20 projects Fortistar currently operates on Republic Services landfills.
"The commissioning of this renewable energy resource for the people of Virginia is another example of Republic's commitment to the environment," said Don Slager, president and COO, Republic Services. "This plant represents the current best available technology for emissions controls, making it an extremely clean energy source and will help the state increase its renewable energy supply."
"We are pleased to include this state-of-the-art facility in our growing portfolio of renewable power resources," said Jackson E. Reasor, ODEC president and CEO. "We're striving to expand and diversify our sources of electricity. We're working hard to assure that the 1.2 million co-op consumers of our 11 member utilities have the reliable and affordable energy they need now and in the future."
"Henrico County is very pleased that this project will be beneficially re-using landfill methane gas, an otherwise wasted resource to produce electricity. This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is considered a win – win situation for all parties involved." said Arthur D. Petrini, Henrico County Director of Public Utilities.
Landfill biogas, which is created when organic material in a municipal solid waste landfill decomposes, consists of about 50 percent methane. It is a readily available, local alternative energy source that offsets the need for imported sources of fossil fuels, that can be converted and used in many ways: to generate electricity, heat or steam; or as an alternative vehicle fuel. Methane is also a controlled greenhouse gas. Fortistar's projects contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases by both destroying the methane and by avoiding energy from other non- renewable sources such as coal, oil or natural gas.
Said Mark Comora, president of Fortistar, "The Old Dominion energy facility is an excellent example of why there should be as many energy projects built on landfills as possible."
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Company's various operating units, including collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, are focused on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. For more information, visit the Republic Services website at www.republicservices.com.
About Fortistar
Fortistar LLC, headquartered in White Plains, NY, has a 25-year history of owning and managing power generating assets, and currently has ownership stakes in over 60 projects in North America. With total generation capacity of exceeding 3,000 MW, Fortistar's projects include landfill gas, digester gas, biomass and natural gas assets, including the Midland Cogeneration Venture project, the largest independent power producer cogeneration facility in the United States. Fortistar is dedicated to delivering more efficiency from traditional energy facilities, as well as developing additional renewable resources. Fortistar's growing renewable business focuses on the landfill gas and solid fuel biomass sectors. For more information on Fortistar, please visit www.fortistar.com.
About Old Dominion Energy Cooperative
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) is a generation-and-transmission cooperative (G&T) that provides wholesale power to 11 member electric distribution cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. ODEC and its members systems are not-for-profit electric cooperatives that are owned by the consumer-members they serve.
ODEC owns 11.6 percent of the North Anna Nuclear Power Station in Louisa County, Va. and 50 percent of the Clover Power Station in Halifax County, Va. It also owns and operates addition generation facilities in Fauquier County and Louisa County, Va. and owns 50 percent of a facility in Cecil County, Md. For more information, visit www.odec.com.
For more information, contact:
Republic Services
Peg Mulloy
480-627-2887
FORTISTAR
David Comora
914- 421-4900
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Jeb Hockman
804-968-4070
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