Laurel, Md. – October 30, 2024 – WSSC Water Officials today joined U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, U.S. Congressman Glenn Ivey, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena Mcllwain, local elected officials, county representatives, community members and others to officially open its $271 million Piscataway Bioenergy Facility in Accokeek, Maryland. The innovative plant, which was completed on budget and on time, will turn “Poop to Power” by turning methane gas into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to power Montgomery County Ride On buses.
Background
WSSC Water’s largest and most technically advanced project will transform how Maryland’s largest water utility handles biosolids, the nutrient-rich organic material resulting from the wastewater treatment process. Once fully operational in early 2025, all biosolids from WSSC Water’s six water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) will be delivered to the new plant. Currently, the facility is processing biosolids from the Piscataway and Western Branch WRRFs.
Through advanced technology, the amount of biosolids left over from the new treatment process will be significantly reduced and cleaner (Class A). The significantly cleaner biosolids can be sold and distributed as a soil amendment. Additionally, the state-of-the-art digestion process creating these Class-A biosolids will generate methane gas, which will be captured and upgraded on site to RNG.
"The Piscataway Bioenergy Project is the type of cutting-edge innovation that will help us tackle the climate crisis," Congressman Hoyer said. "I was proud to help secure funding for this project and thousands of others like it across the country through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic investment in upgrading our community’s water infrastructure. As Chair of the Regional Leadership Council, I am committed to ensuring that Americans in every part of Maryland and America know and feel the impact of the groundbreaking investments Democrats made last Congress."
“Bioenergy production is one of the vital ways we can turn waste into useable fuel. WSSC Water is taking a cutting-edge approach to making the most of our area’s human waste into clean natural gas for buses among other uses. I commend the leadership and green thinking of WSSC Water. I look forward to the excellent work this green facility will continue to do for the people of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties and beyond,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey, (MD-04).
“The nearly $200 million in financing Maryland has provided for WSSC Water’s Piscataway Bioenergy project is a worthwhile investment in clean energy that will reduce costs and help us reach our aggressive climate goals,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “This is a celebration of innovation, made possible when we all work in partnership for healthier communities and a thriving green economy.”
“As a former plumber and small business owner, I know what it takes to run a successful business, and we are so proud to have one of the most successful water and wastewater businesses in the nation serving our residents,” said Council District 9 representative, Vice Chair Sydney Harrison. “With WSSC Water’s track record of excellence, I know this innovative new facility will deliver on the $271 million investment county residents have made and serve our region for a century to come.”
Green Energy
On May 16, 2023, WSSC Water signed a five-year contract with Montgomery County, with the option to renew for five additional one-year terms, to sell the RNG from this facility to power their Ride On buses. The agreement is anticipated to generate $700,000/year from the sale of RNG and approximately $3.2 million annually from the sale of renewable fuel credits.
“Turning waste into fuel is the kind of forward-thinking solution we need to tackle both environmental and transportation challenges,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “This facility allows us to power our Ride On buses with renewable natural gas, cutting emissions while also creating a sustainable energy source. It’s a smart use of resources that not only benefits our environment but helps support our public transit system. Our goal of zero carbon emissions by 2035 requires exactly this kind of innovation, and I appreciate WSSC Water for working with us to make it a reality.”
“The return on investment was one of the reasons I was proud to join my fellow Commissioners in unanimously approving the budget to advance this project from design through construction,” said WSSC Water Chair T. Eloise Foster. “The revenue generated from this innovative project helps take pressure off our rates. As a former Maryland Budget Secretary who served under two governors, I appreciate this green investment for our customers.”
Green Jobs
The design and construction of the facility supported hundreds of skilled craft workers. Additionally, 34 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) businesses participated in the design and construction phases – supporting nearly 150 MBE/SLBE jobs. Now operational, the facility supports 20 new full-time jobs.
“As an anchor institution, we are committed to fostering economic prosperity in the communities we serve by creating job and contracting opportunities,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “Our capital program serves as a foundation for uplifting communities and transforming the trajectory of diverse businesses. The impact of our $271 million investment in this facility is significant: for every million dollars invested, we generated 15 to 18 jobs and allocated over $41 million to small, local and minority enterprises. With the full support of our commissioners, we are united in our mission to eliminate barriers to opportunities for diverse businesses and promote wealth-building opportunities for all.”
PC Construction, the firm leading the design-build team, surpassed the project’s 13.32 percent goal for MBE/SLBE participation, achieving 16.72 percent as of October 2024, with $41.4 million paid to those firms.
“This project is truly groundbreaking,” said PC Construction President and CEO Matt Cooke. “I am so grateful for the exceptional team that came together to deliver this innovative project – from our collaborative partnership with WSSC Water and the design-build team who leads the industry in designing and constructing these specialized facilities to the more than 120 subcontractors and vendors and hundreds of skilled craft workers who brought their best work to the site every day.”
Green Future
Completing this innovative project will reduce WSSC Water’s greenhouse gas emissions by recovering CO2 from the gas that is upgraded and gas from the engine generators and reduced biosolids transportation – complementing existing strategies to reduce the utility’s carbon footprint. The cost savings for customers are estimated to be $3.4 million annually because of the reduction in biosolids hauling and management costs and a decrease in chemical costs attributed to no longer needing lime for biosolids stabilization (achieved via thermal hydrolysis and digestion).
Visit wsscwater.com/bioenergy to learn more and watch a video to see how poop turns into power.
