GRESHAM WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT RECEIVES AWARDS
News Release from City of Gresham
Posted on FlashAlert: November 2nd, 2015 1:35 PM
The accolades keep coming for the City of Gresham's Wastewater Treatment Plant, the first in the Pacific Northwest to reach energy net zero status, meaning the plant makes about the same amount of electricity as it consumes in a year.
Most recently, the American Biogas Council awarded Gresham its municipal "Biogas Project of the Year" for the plant's Biogas Cogeneration Expansion and Fats, Oils and Grease Receiving Facility project; and Environmental Project of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The City received the awards not only for the physical plant at 20015 N.E. Sandy Blvd., but also for its creative use of a wide variety of financing tools, which sets the project apart from other cities.
"I am proud of the transformation of the wastewater treatment plant from our biggest energy user to an energy net zero producer," said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. "The innovations at the plant have not only helped the City make progress on our energy saving goals, and saved our ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, but through the process Gresham has become a civic leader in energy savings."
The plant used to be the City's biggest electricity consumer, using 6.2 million kWh annually--enough electricity to power more than 450 Oregon homes for a year.
Organic matter from wastewater now fuels 92 percent of the Gresham plant's power - right on site - using a process that turns this sludge into biogas. The remaining eight percent of the power the plant produces comes from a 1,902-panel ground-mounted solar array.
By adopting clean energy technologies, and making the plant more energy-efficient, Gresham is estimated to save $500,000 a year in avoided electrical costs. The plant also brings in around $250,000 a year in fees for accepting fats, oils and grease from regional food service establishments.
"These energy efficiency and generation projects pay for themselves over time, but we're also aggressive when it comes to looking and applying for outside grant dollars, which saves ratepayers even more money," said Environmental Services Director Steve Fancher.
"The Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plan is a shining example of the new way of looking at wastewater treatment and blazing a trail to be emulated nationwide," noted the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association when granting its award.
The plant serves 114,000 customers in Gresham, Fairview and Wood Village and treats approximately 13 million gallons of wastewater each day before releasing it into the nearby Columbia River.
Most recently, the American Biogas Council awarded Gresham its municipal "Biogas Project of the Year" for the plant's Biogas Cogeneration Expansion and Fats, Oils and Grease Receiving Facility project; and Environmental Project of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The City received the awards not only for the physical plant at 20015 N.E. Sandy Blvd., but also for its creative use of a wide variety of financing tools, which sets the project apart from other cities.
"I am proud of the transformation of the wastewater treatment plant from our biggest energy user to an energy net zero producer," said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. "The innovations at the plant have not only helped the City make progress on our energy saving goals, and saved our ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, but through the process Gresham has become a civic leader in energy savings."
The plant used to be the City's biggest electricity consumer, using 6.2 million kWh annually--enough electricity to power more than 450 Oregon homes for a year.
Organic matter from wastewater now fuels 92 percent of the Gresham plant's power - right on site - using a process that turns this sludge into biogas. The remaining eight percent of the power the plant produces comes from a 1,902-panel ground-mounted solar array.
By adopting clean energy technologies, and making the plant more energy-efficient, Gresham is estimated to save $500,000 a year in avoided electrical costs. The plant also brings in around $250,000 a year in fees for accepting fats, oils and grease from regional food service establishments.
"These energy efficiency and generation projects pay for themselves over time, but we're also aggressive when it comes to looking and applying for outside grant dollars, which saves ratepayers even more money," said Environmental Services Director Steve Fancher.
"The Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plan is a shining example of the new way of looking at wastewater treatment and blazing a trail to be emulated nationwide," noted the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association when granting its award.
The plant serves 114,000 customers in Gresham, Fairview and Wood Village and treats approximately 13 million gallons of wastewater each day before releasing it into the nearby Columbia River.
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