DTE Biomass to Invest $20 Million In Gas-to-Energy Project at Potrero Hills Landfill in CA

Date: December 18, 2011

Source: DTE Biomass Energy Inc.

DTE Biomass Energy Inc. plans to invest $20 million to develop a 9.6 megawatt landfill gas-to-energy facility at Waste Connections' Potrero Hills Landfill in Suisun City, CA. Electricity generated from the project will be enough to power about 6,000 homes. DTE plans to sell that power to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under a long-term power purchase agreement.

Lou Wilkinson, vice president of business development for DTE biomass, said, "Unlike solar or wind energy, gas produced from the landfill is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The renewable resource produced at the landfill as a use it or lose it opportunity. Right now, Potrero Hills isn't taking advantage of the resource. The reason for picking Potrero Hills to start a new project is its established relationship with the corporate office of Waste Connections Inc. and Solano County. Solano County is a great place to do business, Potrero Hills is a good fit for a gas to energy project."

DTE is obtaining an interconnect permit from PG&E and an air permit from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The interconnect permit will ensure that DTE is using the right equipment and that it is correctly installed and delivered in a safe way to PG&E and then to customers. Electricity moved to the PG&E grid will be sold by DTE. The company expects to be up and running at the end of 2013.

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