Jun 11 2008
Environmental Power Corporation, a leader in the renewable bioenergy industry, will today mark the commencement of construction at its Rio Leche Estates RNG(R) Facility with a ground breaking ceremony. The Dublin, Texas facility, owned and operated by Environmental Power's subsidiary, Microgy, Inc., will generate pipeline-grade RNG(R) from dairy cow manure and other waste products. RNG(R) is Microgy's branded, renewable pipeline quality methane product.
The Rio Leche facility is expected to generate 635,000 MMBtu of RNG(R) per year, the energy equivalent of 4.5 million gallons of oil. The facility will use a thermophilic, codigestion anaerobic digestion process to generate methane-rich biogas, condition the gas to natural gas pipeline standards and transport the RNG(R) to market via the Enterprise natural gas pipeline system. The gas will be purchased under a previously announced medium-term purchase agreement. Because the project will trap methane, a potent greenhouse gas, the facility has the potential to generate a significant number of greenhouse gas offset credits. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
Participants at today's ground breaking are expected to include Rich Kessel, President and CEO of Environmental Power; State Representative Sid Miller; Mayor of Dublin Red Seigars; Joe Adams, President of MWH Constructors; County Commissioner Lynn Tidwell; John Cowen, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Dairymen; James Fritts, President of the Dublin Economic Development Corporation; Sandy Reed, Executive Director of the Dublin Economic Development Corporation; Dublin City Manager Jerry Guillory; and Karen Wright, Executive Director of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
"Beginning construction at Rio Leche represents an important step forward for our portfolio of Texas projects," said Rich Kessel, CEO and President of Environmental Power. "Experience with our nearby Huckabay Ridge facility provided important design and operational knowledge that we have incorporated into Rio Leche. This project reinforces the nexus of agricultural and energy markets, providing a reliable source of renewable energy and contributing to the environmental well-being of Erath County and beyond."
"We are all excited about the ground breaking of this important project," said Sid Miller, State Representative for the 59th District. "Rio Leche provides Texas with three key benefits: It will strengthen our agricultural community, provide a reliable source of energy, and reduce our dependence on imported fuel. This project represents a step forward for the agricultural community in Texas and for the state as a whole."
In addition to generating a reliable source of RNG(R), Rio Leche is expected to help local dairies manage their waste. The facility will help reduce odors, protect groundwater and help farmers to operate within nutrient management guidelines.
"The Rio Leche project has our full support and encouragement," said James "Red" Seigars, Mayor of Dublin. "This facility will help Dublin's dairy farmers in a number of ways, and we expect it will benefit the entire community. We are proud to be home to such an innovative renewable energy project."
"Environmental Power and Microgy are investing in the infrastructure and technology that will contribute to the economic health of Erath County for years to come," said James Fritts, President of the Dublin Economic Development Corporation. "Our region is home to a vibrant dairy community and we anticipate the Rio Leche project will help our farmers and strengthen the economy in a truly sustainable way."