Thursday, April 26, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Governor Launches Innovative Renewable Energy Project
Cooperative Effort to Save State $8 million
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today launched an historic energy sharing initiative projected to save Missouri taxpayers an estimated $8 million. The cooperative effort will generate steam to heat the Jefferson City Correctional Center.
"The launch of this innovative project is a continuation of our commitment to renewable energy in Missouri," Gov. Blunt said at today's groundbreaking ceremony. "Whether it's fuel from our corn and soybean fields or alternative power sources, with more diversity and choices in our energy supply we can become more energy independent, create jobs and improve our environment."
The partnership launched today will create renewable energy and heat using byproducts from the Jefferson City Landfill. Methane gas from the landfill will be converted to electricity, and the heat created by conversion facilities will be used to heat water for the state prison. The project uses resources that would otherwise have been wasted while at the same time producing benefits for the environment, the state, prison and local communities.
Partners include the State of Missouri, Columbia Water & Light, the energy service company Ameresco and the owner of the landfill Allied Waste Services. The project is anticipated to provide an environmental benefit equivalent to removing more than 30,000 cars from Missouri roads, or planting nearly 40,000 trees annually.
The governor's Energy and Green Power Initiative helped make Missouri among the first in the nation to enact a renewable fuel standard. The state's 10 percent ethanol standard will lessen Missouri's dependence on foreign oil and reduce harmful automobile emissions.
Blunt was also the first governor to recommend and secure full funding for both the Ethanol and Biodiesel Producer Incentive Funds. He has also worked to secure all back payments due to farmers from the ethanol producer fund in prior years.
The governor's administration also introduced energy efficient technology in prison laundry services to save the state more than $500,000 in energy costs annually.