Burnham RNG has been chosen by the Milton Regional Sewer Authority (MRSA) to transform its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) into a Resource Recovery Center. The project will leverage excess capacity at the facility to process food waste from local businesses and biosolids from nearby wastewater plants.
The initiative aims to capture biogas produced during the wastewater treatment process and convert it into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG). As MRSA’s partner, Burnham will handle the design, operation, installation, and financing of the necessary upgrades.
According to Burnham RNG, MRSA’s anaerobic digesters are currently underutilized. The project will optimize these digesters to create a sustainable and reliable method for handling organic materials, enhancing revenue through the sale of energy generated from the digestion process.
This transformation will allow MRSA to offer regional food processors and other wastewater facilities a way to divert waste from landfills and recycle it into RNG. Revenue from RNG sales and organic processing will help MRSA reduce sewage fees for current customers and create a sustainable revenue stream to mitigate inflationary pressures.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with MRSA on this project,” said Chris Tynan, CEO of Burnham RNG. “MRSA’s innovative approach sets a benchmark for other municipalities, showcasing how existing wastewater infrastructure can be repurposed to generate clean energy and additional revenue.”
Genie Bausinger, Executive Director of MRSA, commented, “We needed a turnkey partner with the expertise to build, finance, and operate the necessary facilities to optimize our infrastructure and produce renewable natural gas. Burnham RNG’s comprehensive capabilities and their backing by Ares, a leading infrastructure investor, provided the confidence we needed to move forward with this long-term project. Their resourcefulness and creativity in maximizing our existing assets were particularly valuable.”
