Local governments recognized in this category demonstrate leadership, commitment and excellence in environmental management.

2010 Winner

Gwinnett County – Gas to Energy Project
The Gas to Energy (G2E) project is part of the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources continued focus on reducing operating costs through sustainable solutions. It allows the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center (FWHWRC) to take advantage of the excess biogas generated from digesting biosolids, fats, oil, grease (FOG) and other high strength industrial wastes (HSW). The cogeneration system converts biogas to electricity and heat for use at the plant. This renewable power helps DWR reduce its operations costs by meeting a portion of FWHWRC power and heat demands and also helps to reduce sanitary sewer overflows.

The County partnered with several other organizations to bring the project to fruition, including Georgia Tech, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Water Environment Research Foundation. Financing for the project was obtained through ARRA and GEFA loans.

• Fewer than 25 similar co-digestion programs exist worldwide – most less than 2 years old. Gwinnett County is leading with this innovation for wastewater facilities in the southeast.
• At peak capacity, the system can reduce the FWHWRC electricity bill by over$1 million dollars a year and generate up to $800K in annual revenue from tipping fees.
• The project reduces greenhouse gases by up to 15,500 metric tons per year, the equivalent of 3,000 passenger vehicles.

Contact: Heather Sawyer – 770.822.7035 or heather.sawyer@gwinnettcounty.com