A Local Authority in the US State of Maryland has signed a five-year deal that will see its public buses being run on methane gas produced by residents’ poo.
Montgomery County is partnering with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) which will sell methane gas captured at its bioenergy facility when it is completed next year.
Chief Executive of the County, Marc Elrich said the agreement was a win-win-win for constituents, commuters and, most importantly, the environment.
“Increasing the efficiency and reliability of our Ride-On bus system is critical toward the County’s goal of a 100 per cent carbon emission reduction by 2035,” Mr Elrich said.
“This agreement, along with our new electric buses and micro-grids, are important improvements within our fleet.”
WSSC’s Piscataway Bioenergy Facility in nearby Accokeek is a renewable natural gas energy production facility that captures methane gas from wastewater.
Construction of the facility began in 2019 and is expected to be complete by November 2024.
General Manager at the WSSC, Kishia L. Powell said utilities were looking for any way to reduce costs and diversify revenues to take the pressure off customer rates.
“The Piscataway Bioenergy project will generate revenue and save our customers more than $US3.4 million ($A5 million) annually by reducing operating costs,” Ms Powell (pictured) said.
Annapolis, 29 June 2023
