Board Approves UMaine Landfill Gas Negotiations
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The University of Maine System Board of Trustees today authorized the University of Maine to conclude negotiations on a 20-year energy agreement that could potentially save the university $13 million- $17 million while reducing the university’s carbon footprint by more than 40 percent.
UMaine has been negotiating with Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWS) to develop an agreement supplying landfill gas to fuel the university’s central steam plant. Generated at the Juniper Ridge landfill in Old Town, the gas would travel to UMaine through an approximately seven-mile pipeline. If negotiations result in a formal agreement, CWS would construct and install the pipeline after securing regulatory approval for the project.
“The board’s ratification represents an important step as we continue to explore this energy source as a long-term option,” says Janet Waldron, UMaine’s vice president for administration and finance. “As a public university, we are always looking for ways to reduce fixed costs. This abundant supply of a renewable energy option so close to our campus represents a real opportunity to create a predictable, relatively inexpensive means to power our steam plant for many years to come.”
Waldron points out that discussions, which have also included City of Old Town officials, have been ongoing for several months. Today’s board approval authorizes the university to conclude those negotiations and enter into a contract, pending review by the system’s vice chancellor for finance and administration/treasurer and the university counsel. Implementation would be subject to final approval by Chancellor Richard Pattenaude.
In addition to providing a substantial and stable energy supply at a discount rate, an agreement would result in a 30,000 ton annual decrease in UMaine’s carbon footprint. That reduction amounts to the same impact as taking 5,700 motor vehicles off the road.
The gas necessary to fulfill a potential agreement would be generated from waste that is already in place at Juniper Ridge.
Waldron says it is possible that UMaine could be using landfill gas to provide fuel for the steam plant in the 2011-2012 academic year.