Gresham Wastewater Plant Goes Solar

On Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 10:00 a.m., the City of Gresham, REC Solar and SunEdison, will celebrate the activation of the largest ground mount solar power array in the Pacific Northwest at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 20015 NE Sandy Blvd.

This 419 kW solar power system was made possible by SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services company, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), and REC Solar, the nation’s leading solar integrator, through a power purchase agreement that required no upfront capital from the City. The solar array system will generate an estimated 460,000 kWh of clean solar energy in the first year of operation. That is enough energy to power 43 homes for one year. Over 20 years, the system will generate more than 8 million kWh of energy; enough energy to power over 780 average US homes for one year.

The solar power system is made available with no upfront cost from the taxpayers. SunEdison owns, operates and maintains it, and the City purchases the energy produced for the term of the contract.

“The City’s commitment to this project demonstrates that solar is a viable source of energy for our community,” said Mayor Shane T. Bemis. “By having such a visible display we are showing that Gresham is a player in the solar industry and is a strong market for solar products.”

The system was constructed through a partnership with SunEdison, REC Solar and incentives provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon. REC Solar designed and installed the system, which created over 20 jobs for the project.

"This solar array is a benchmark project for the industry, which should encourage many more waste treatment facilities across the country to develop substantial plans for solar and other alternative energy sources that will help create jobs and stimulate local economies," said CEO of REC Solar Angiolo Laviziano.

“SunEdison continues to provide cities across the nation the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy,” said Jaime A. Smith, Vice President of Sales for SunEdison. “We make this a reality with our strong financing capabilities and our partnerships with outstanding solar integrators like REC Solar.”

Source: http://www.recsolar.com/

$200 million upgrade in San Jacinto, CA

By GAIL WESSON
The Press-Enterprise

San Jacingo,   CA - A 40-year-old wastewater treatment plant will be replaced by a new plant on the same Eastern Municipal Water District property in San Jacinto in a $200 million project slated to start construction this summer and be completed in 2014.

The project will increase plant capacity from 11 to 14 million gallons a day and upgrade the treatment process to meet more stringent state requirements, according to Jalal Ahmadpour, senior civil engineer and project manager for Eastern.

$4 Million Awarded to Beaulaville for WWT Upgrade

More than $4 million awarded to the town of Beulaville will help improve the town’s treatment plant.

The town of approximately 2,000 residents received a grant in the amount of $2,295,000 and a loan for $2,304,000 for wastewater system improvements, according to a release by U.S. Senator Kay Hagan.

“We’re very excited to have received this from (U.S. Department of Agriculture),” Mayor Kenneth Smith said. “It’s a great opportunity for the citizens of Beulalville; we very much appreciate the assistance.”

He said the town just completed repairs to some of the town’s sewer lines.

“Our treatment plant has been under a moratorium for many years, and this will give us the opportunity to bring it up to specification and codes and help us grow as a town,” he said.

The USDA loan was provided to the town with an interest rate of 3.25-percent and a 40-year term, according to Scotty Summerlin, the town manager.