Date: November 3, 2011
Source: Republic Services, Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Republic Services (Phoenix, AZ) and Fortistar (New York, NY) jointly announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art 6.4-megawatt landfill gas-to-energy called Richmond Energy LLC, at Republic Services' Old Dominion Sanitary Landfill in Henrico County. The project employs four Caterpillar G3520 reciprocating engine generator sets, each rated at 1.6 megawatts, which with the support of associated landfill gas clean-up and compression equipment, will meet the energy needs of about 4,500 area homes. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative will buy that power under a power purchase agreement, its first with Fortistar. Fortistar now has over 20 projects on Republic Services landfills that are among 60 projects it has in North America.
PRESS RELEASE
November 3, 2011
Republic Services, Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Dedicate Central Virginia's Newest Landfill-Gas-To-Energy Facility
New facility to generate electricity to more than 4,500 area homes
Leading environmental services company Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), Fortistar and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) dedicated a new, state-of-the-art landfill gas-to-energy plant in Virginia with a public ribbon cutting event at the site today.
"The dedication of this renewable energy resource for the people of Virginia is another example of Republic's commitment to the environment," said Bill Held, senior director, renewable energy for 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."
Fortistar recently finalized the construction on a 6.4-megawatt renewable energy facility, called Richmond Energy LLC, at Republic Services' Old Dominion Sanitary Landfill in Henrico County. The plant is in "start-up phase" now, scheduled to begin delivering renewable power later this month; the output will be sold to ODEC under a long term power purchase agreement.
The Old Dominion energy project uses 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, will meet the total electrical energy needs of approximately 4,500 Virginia residences.
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.
"Electric cooperatives are consumer-owned," said Jack Reasor, president and CEO of ODEC. So we've always been deeply involved in promoting energy efficiency and in finding innovative ways to provide electricity while making the best use of resources and protecting our environment. ODEC's partnership in this new landfill-gas-to-electricity generation facility marks the latest step in our ongoing journey of responsible energy use. It's in perfect harmony with our state's and nation's renewable energy initiatives, and with the framework of concern for community upon which the cooperative business model is built."
Speaking about today's ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Bolling said, "I am delighted to dedicate Central Virginia's newest landfill-gas-to-energy plant today. This state-of-the-art facility will provide Virginians with improved access to clean energy supply. Our Administration's goal is to make Virginia the East Coast's energy leader. Innovative projects like this one are key to harnessing and delivering alternative energy resources, enhancing energy security and creating new jobs for Virginians."
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 using the methane before it reaches the atmosphere and thus replacing energy produced from nonrenewable sources such as coal, oil or natural gas.
Said Mark Comora, president of Fortistar, "We are pleased with the strong partnership we have built during the rapid construction phase of this project and look forward to a long productive relationship producing renewable energy for the region."
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 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 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 Electric 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 member systems are not-for-profit electric cooperatives that are owned by the member-consumers 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 additional 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
Anne Hooff
434-996-4553
Fortistar
David Comora
914-421-4900
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Bill Sherrod
804-968-4095
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