CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lime Energy Co. (Nasdaq:LIME) announced today the onset of renewable power generation at the Zemel Road Landfill in Charlotte County, FL.
In conjunction with Charlotte County's Solid Waste Division, Lime Energy has installed two GE Jenbacher engines that will produce 2.8 megawatts of electricity capable of providing power to almost 4,000 homes. Eric Dupont, Group President at Lime Energy, expressed his excitement over the completion of this project: "From the initial conceptual design to the delivery of the generators and today's production of renewable power, this project has been a true partnership with the local government and the realization of a great asset for Lime Energy and the people of Charlotte County."
There are currently over 3,000 landfills in the US and together, they account for 20% of all methane gas emissions. The methane gas produced by landfills is a prime contributor to the greenhouse effect and is 20 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. While consumers and corporations alike struggle with future methods of disposing trash, existing landfills pose an opportunity to create a positive resource from harmful waste. Lime Energy President and CEO John O'Rourke says: "The Zemel Road Landfill Project is an excellent example of Lime's overall commitment to implement economically and environmentally sound projects that drive long term value to both our customers and the communities in which they live."
"Charlotte County is a leader in green energy initiatives and this project keeps us at the forefront of renewable energy," says Charlotte County Commissioner Christopher Constance. "This public/private partnership with Lime Energy helps us to safeguard the environment while generating revenue, with no start-up or ongoing cost to the county." In addition to providing power, the renewable power generation at the Zemel Road facility is equivalent to taking 24,000 vehicles off the road and displacing the use of over 13 million gallons of gasoline. As the methane production at the landfill increases, Lime Energy and Charlotte County will have the option to add additional collection wells and a third engine to increase the output capacity.
"Charlotte County is reducing an air pollutant while generating green energy at no cost to the citizens," says County Project Manager Roger Lescrynski. "It's a win-win-win for everyone."
About Lime Energy Co
As one of the nation's leading providers of clean energy solutions, Lime brings over 20 years of delivering economically viable efficiency and renewable energy solutions that benefit communities and protect the environment. Lime's platform includes the energy industry's most experienced professionals and an expansive geographic footprint with over 400 employees at 20 locations in North America. Lime Energy's services include integrated energy engineering, consulting and the implementation of solutions that enable customers to reduce their facility's energy consumption, lower their operating and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint. The company's stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LIME. Additional information is available at www.lime-energy.com or by emailing info@lime-energy.com.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements that reflect Lime Energy's current expectations about its future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Lime Energy has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words and phrases such as "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "hope," "intends," "estimates," "plan," "should," "typical," "preliminary," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Lime Energy and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Lime Energy's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities in 2011 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward- looking statements. These risks include those described in Lime Energy's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or as may be described from time to time in Lime Energy's subsequent SEC filings; such factors are incorporated here by reference.