SACO, Maine and NOVI, Mich., Jan. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aria Energy, a leading provider of baseload renewable energy, today announced that it will partner with Casella Waste Systems, a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, to develop, construct, own and operate a 4.8 MW landfill gas-to-energy project located at the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town, ME.
The facility, which will utilize methane gas generated through organic decomposition in the state-owned landfill, will potentially meet the power needs of over 4,800 homes with renewable energy. Construction is expected to commence in early 2016 and the facility is expected to be operational in 2017.
"We are pleased to partner with Casella Waste Systems on the development, construction and operation of this baseload renewable energy project," said Richard M. DiGia, President and CEO of Aria Energy. "The Juniper Ridge Landfill project adds to our portfolio of owned and operated landfill gas projects that play a critical role in powering more homes with electricity generated from renewable energy resources."
This project involves extracting gas from within the landfill and delivering the gas to a generation facility where it is converted into energy and will supply the New England electric grid. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfill gas-to-energy projects reduce reliance on non-renewable energy resources, such as natural gas, coal, or petroleum. The EPA estimates that 4.8 MW of energy produced from landfill gas is equivalent to preventing carbon emissions generated by the consumption of 24.4 million gallons of gasoline annually.
Aria Energy currently provides operation and maintenance services for three additional landfill gas-to-energy facilities owned by Casella Waste Systems: the 6.4 MW facility in Morrisonville, NY, the 8 MW Hyland facility in Angelica, NY and the 8 MW Coventry facility in Newport, VT. Aria Energy also owns and operates the 11.2 MW Ontario facility in Stanley, NY at a landfill operated by Casella Waste Systems.
About Aria Energy
Headquartered in Novi, MI, Aria Energy provides baseload renewable energy to utilities and other customers across the United States. Aria Energy owns and/or operates a diversified portfolio of renewable energy projects across 16 states, collectively representing 265.9 MW-equivalent of baseload renewable energy capacity. For additional information, please visit: www.ariaenergy.com
The majority of Aria Energy is owned by private equity funds managed by a subsidiary of Ares Management, L.P. (NYSE:ARES). For additional information, please visit: http://www.aresmgmt.com/
About Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, provides solid waste management services consisting of collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services in the Northeastern United States. For further information, investors contact Ned Coletta, Chief Financial Officer at (802) 772-2239, media contact Joseph Fusco, Vice President at (802) 772-2247, or visit the company's website at http://www.casella.com.