Energy Secretary Chu and SC and GA Congressional Leadership Break Ground on New Renewable Energy Facility at SRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/(202) 586-4940 November 30, 2009/ (803) 952-7697


Aiken, SC – (November 30) Today Secretary of Energy Steven Chu was joined by South Carolina and Georgia Congressional delegation members to break ground on a new renewable energy fueled facility at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The new Biomass Cogeneration Facility replaces a deteriorating, inefficient coal powerhouse and oil-fired boilers at a savings of approximately $35 million a year in energy and operation and maintenance costs and reduces air emissions, including 100,000 tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions.
“"By investing in energy efficiency, we are creating good jobs that can’t be outsourced. This project will employ 800 workers during construction and about 25 people during permanent operations,” said Secretary Chu in addressing an audience of over 150 stakeholders and employees during the groundbreaking ceremony at SRS. “The money from those paychecks will go straight back into the local economy and drive even more economic recovery.” Joining Secretary Chu for the ceremonial groundbreaking were: South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (RSC); House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC); U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett (R-SC); U.S. Representative John Barrow (D-GA); U.S. Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC); DOE-Savannah River Manager Jeffrey Allison; DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Dae Chung; and Ameresco President and CEO George Sakerallis.
Under the Department’s largest ever Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), DOE contracted with Ameresco Federal Solutions, Inc. (Ameresco) to finance, design, construct, operate, maintain and fuel the new biomass facility over the term of the 20-year contract valued at $795 million.