For more information contact:

Sarah Wilkinson

Brink Communications

202-431-8308 sarah@brinkcomm.com

On-site contacts:

Hannah Cruz

Energy Trust of Oregon

320-812-9555  hannah.cruz@energytrust.org

Mark Jockers

Clean Water Services

503-701-4293 jockersm@cleanwaterservices.org

WHAT: Clean Water Services, Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Energy will dedicate a new cogeneration system that converts wastewater and grease into renewable energy. The innovative system, which is part of Clean Water Services Durham Treatment Facility, is the third cogeneration system in Oregon to co-digest fats, oils and grease.

The new system triples Clean Water Services’ cogeneration output to 1.7 megawatts—generating 60 percent of the electricity needed to run the water resource recovery facility. Generating clean, renewable energy from biogas reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps Oregon meet its carbon reduction goals.

WHO: Chair Andy Duyck, Clean Water Services/Washington County

Michael Kaplan, Director, Oregon Department of Energy

Betsy Kauffman, Renewable Energy Sector Lead, Energy Trust of Oregon

WHEN: Wednesday, May 4, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. 10:00: Reception and opportunity for private interviews

10:15: Remarks

10:45: Renewable energy facility tour

WHERE: Clean Water Services Durham Treatment Facility, 16060 SW 85th Ave., Tigard, OR

VISUALS:

* Remarks delivered

* Demonstration delivery of fats, oils and grease

* Energy Trust incentive check presentation

* Tour with onsite technical experts

* Hosted reception with Voodoo doughnuts and Stumptown coffee

BACKGROUND:

The Durham Treatment Facility cleans wastewater for nearly 250,000 residents of Beaverton, Tigard, Sherwood, Tualatin, Durham, King City, and portions of Clackamas and Multnomah Counties.

Since 1993, Durham has operated a 500-kilowatt cogeneration system using biogas from the communities’ wastewater to offset its own energy usage. By replacing this smaller engine with two new engines, Durham now has a 1.7-megawatt cogeneration system fueled by biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of municipal wastewater solids as well as fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from Washington County restaurants, commercial food processors and others.

FOG, also known as “brown grease,” is pumped out of restaurant grease traps and interceptors at regular intervals. By adding FOG to its cogeneration system, Durham is able to produce more renewable energy while diverting waste from landfills.

The project was funded by Clean Water Services. The agency received cash incentives from Energy Trust and tax credits from the Oregon Department of Energy. Renewable electricity and heat produced will be used onsite, meeting 60 percent of the water resource recovery facility’s energy needs when coupled with its existing 403-kilowatt solar electric system, ensuring value for ratepayers.

MEDIA NOTE: Project background materials, images and video (including aerial drone and helicopter footage) from Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility will be made available for media use here: http://bit.ly/1VVElYg or by request. Contact Sarah Wilkinson at sarah@brinkcomm.com or 202-431-8308.

CLEAN WATER SERVICES: Everything we do at Clean Water Services aims to protect public health while enhancing the natural environment. Combining science and nature, we clean water and return it to the Tualatin River, so it can be used again. More than 560,000 customers enjoy clean water and healthy rivers and streams as a result of our innovative water management solutions, drainage management, water-quality and stream-enhancement projects, habitat protection and more. For more information, visit www.cleanwaterservices.org.

ENERGY TRUST: Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save $2.3 billion on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.