Albany & Saratoga Counties to partner on sustainable infrastructure project
ALBANY (March 28th, 2018) — The leaders of Albany and Saratoga counties announced on Wednesday that they will combine resources to develop a visionary “green” facility to covert biosolids, food waste, oils, grease and sewer sludge into methane gas that can be utilized for energy production.
The Albany County Legislature and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors have collaborated since 2016 to establish a Regional Anaerobic Digester at the Albany County Water Purification District’s Wastewater Treatment plant in Menands. Albany County Legislature Majority Leader Gary W. Domalewicz said Wednesday that the jointly-owned and -operated biosolids waste facility will have many important environmental and economic advantages. It will:
> Divert waste that is now hauled to landfills, saving vital landfill space and lowering disposal costs. Albany County currently spends about $2.2 million a year in handling biosolids at two facilities.
> Reduce the need to truck the waste, which will lower carbon emissions and save transportation costs. Saratoga County now spends $2 million a year to haul biosolid waste.
> Generate clean and renewable energy to fight climate change.
> Improve the water quality of the Hudson River.
> Allow Albany County to decommission four sewage sludge incinerators, which should reduce sewer and water rates for residents.
> Help the Counties meet new sewage sludge regulations enacted by New York State.
> Fulfill the governor’s shared-services directive. Albany and Saratoga counties would split the costs of building, operating and maintaining the Digester facility.
The Albany County Legislature started the project by authorizing a feasibility study that was partially funded by The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The study evaluated building the Digester, identified design criteria and funding sources, and helped prepare a master plan.
The Albany County Legislature’s Public Works Committee on Tuesday approved entering into a shared-services agreement with Saratoga County to construct the Digester facility. A vote by the full Legislature is expected to take place on April 9. A press conference organized by Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Kinowski was held Wednesday in the Times Union Center atrium. Saratoga County has OK’d the project.
“We’re excited to reach the approval part of this cost-savings project, which would be the first of its kind in the Capital Region,” Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce said.
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said the project would cost approximately $45 million, and each county will save more than $20 million over the next 20 years through the agreement. After 20 years, it is anticipated that the facility will generate revenue for both counties, McCoy said.
“This agreement can be a model for other governments throughout the state who could find ways to work with neighboring governments to provide what’s best for their residents at a shared cost,” the County Executive said. He said a target release date for design proposals is in June, and that phase is expected to take one year.
Ina press statement released by the County Executive’s Office, Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties said, “I applaud the innovation and environmental importance of this project. This regional green project will not only update wastewater treatment capabilities, but it will help divert food waste and other organic materials from the landfills within these counties and the greater Capital Region.”
