STATE OF MARYLAND SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATED FROM ANIMAL WASTE

Clean Bay Power Project will promote green energy and help reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the State is seeking proposals for the purchase of electricity generated from animal waste as part of the Clean Bay Power project to promote the use of renewable energy, reduce Maryland’s contribution to agricultural runoff in the Chesapeake Bay, and encourage job creation.

The State’s renewable energy portfolio standard requires that electric suppliers purchase 20 percent of their power from clean energy sources by 2022. Maryland is seeking to purchase electricity from manure based fuels in an effort to reduce the amount of nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, which enter the Chesapeake Bay. These nutrients are partly responsible for the declining health of the Bay.

“Maryland is leading the nation’s efforts in clean energy and sustainability, and our State’s growing ‘green’ jobs sector is vital to our ability to create jobs and compete globally in the new economy,” said Governor O’Malley. “It is only through a diverse, renewable fuel mix that we will be able to reach our aggressive goal of generating 20 percent renewable energy by 2022, create jobs through innovation, and protect our precious environment. With projects like Clean Bay Power, together, we can work toward a more sustainable future for our children and create jobs in this changing new economy.”

The Clean Bay Power project is an effort by the Maryland Department of General Services, in coordination with the Maryland Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the University System of Maryland. The successful supplier must have an electric generating capacity of up to 10MW from animal waste – such as poultry litter or livestock manure - and must be directly connected to the regional electricity grid. The selected supplier must begin providing electricity to the State by December 31, 2015. 

“We are seeking to purchase our power from a variety of renewable resources for a better and more sustainable future,” said DGS Secretary Alvin Collins. “Obtaining electricity from poultry manure or animal waste helps Maryland government to reach its goal of generating 20 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources, all the while improving Bay water quality and support the agriculture industry.”

Energy solicited through this request for proposals is limited to projects consuming animal waste as their primary fuel and that also qualify under the current definition of a “Tier I” renewable energy resource under the Maryland renewable energy portfolio standard.

The Clean Bay Power request for proposals is advertised at the eMaryland Marketplace website: https://ebidmarketplace.com. Deadline for proposal submission is 2 p.m., November 30, 2011.