Ohio Biomass Project Now Started

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Bellefontaine Gas Producers LLC today started commercial operation of its landfill gas-to-energy project at the Republic Services-owned Cherokee Run Landfill here.

The renewable energy project is owned by Bellefontaine Gas Producers LLC, which is a joint venture between DTE Biomass Energy and Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Inc. The project, which utilizes three Caterpillar engines for a capacity of 4.8 megawatts, will sell energy produced at the facility under a long-term power sales agreement into the PJM Interconnection regional transmission organization.

"The generating facility follows on a very successful leachate evaporation project operating at the site since 1999," said Mark Cousino, DTE Biomass Energy president. "The collaboration between the DTE Biomass Energy-Shaw partnership and Republic resulted in an environmentally beneficial energy project which will produce renewable energy for years to come."

The renewable electricity produced at this facility from landfill gas is enough to supply the yearly electric requirements of 4,800 households.

"Republic is very excited that an existing, mature use of the landfill gas at Cherokee Run through the evaporator has been supplemented with an electric generating project that will provide green power to the area," said Bill Held, senior director of renewable energy for Republic. "This demonstrates the ability of multiple partners to work together creatively and positively."

DTE Biomass Energy is a subsidiary of DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. DTE Energy's operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, coal and gas midstream, unconventional gas production and energy trading.

Information about DTE Biomass Energy is available at www.dtebiomassenergy.com.
Republic Services Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company provides trash collection to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 40 states through its 427 collection companies. Republic Services owns or operates 252 transfer stations, 216 solid waste landfills and 85 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in Phoenix and has more than 35,000 employees. For more information, visit the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com.