LAUREL, MD -- WSSC Water Commissioners have approved an 18-year contract with Washington Gas (WGL) for the construction and installation of approximately 900 feet of natural gas pipeline and related infrastructure to supply natural gas to, and convey renewable natural gas from WSSC Water’s Piscataway Bioenergy facility in Accokeek, Maryland in Prince George’s County.
Washington Gas, a regulated utility that serves more than 1.2 million customers across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, will seek the Maryland Public Service Commission’s approval of the project this summer. Once approved, construction of Washington Gas’ infrastructure is expected to begin in spring 2022.
At the heart of the Piscataway Bioenergy project is how WSSC Water handles biosolids, the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the wastewater treatment process. Currently, WSSC Water’s five major water resource recovery facilities produce about 8,000 tons of biosolids each month. Through innovative technology at the bioenergy facility, the amount of biosolids left over from the treatment process will be significantly reduced and cleaner (Class A). The process used to create these Class A biosolids will generate methane gas, which will be captured and upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) that WSSC Water will sell on the open market. Selling RNG will generate Renewable Fuel Credits, which can be sold to the petroleum industry – generating additional revenue for WSSC Water.
“This contract approval is a significant step in delivering a project for our customers that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help protect the Chesapeake Bay, create renewable energy and save our customers money,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Carla A. Reid. “I thank our Commissioners for approving this funding and Washington Gas for their partnership in delivering on a cleaner and greener future.”
“We are pleased to partner with WSSC Water on our first innovative project to turn waste into energy so that we can further lower greenhouse gas emissions in our region,” said Blue Jenkins, President of Washington Gas. “This project will enable us to continue to refine and learn more about this promising technology so that we can expand the use of RNG across our region as we all work together to create a cleaner energy future.”
This bioenergy facility will help protect the Chesapeake Bay by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent and save WSSC Water customers more than $3 million per year by reducing WSSC Water’s operating costs. Construction of the $271 million facility began in May 2019, and is expected to be complete in fall 2024, weather permitting.
Learn more about the project at www.wsscwater.com/bioenergy.
