FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Rosa Receives National Climate Innovation Invitational Award

City Recognized for Aquatic Biomass to Fuel Project

Santa Rosa, California, was honored Thursday night for their cutting-edge Aquatic Biomass to Fuel (ABF) project, which produces energy from wastewater, while at the same time recapturing methane, the most potent greenhouse gas.
The 2008 Climate Innovation Invitational, sponsored by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and designed to recognize innovation in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level, was presented in Albuquerque at the ICLEI Local Action Summit in Albuquerque. Santa Rosa will receive $1,000 and recognition throughout the ICLEI website and network.

For more information on the Climate Innovation Invitational, please visit www.icleiactionsummit.org/climateinvitational.

“The city of Santa Rosa and our partners are very excited to receive this ICLEI award. We are always looking for ways to produce renewable fuels and for ‘win wins’ in terms of environmental quality and energy production,” said Dell Tredinnick with the City of Santa Rosa who was on hand to accept the award.

“This project combines the best of the best by helping us clean our wastewater in biological way, and produce two kinds of fuel: methane and biofuel for our fleet.”

Mr. Tredinnick also noted the potential for the project to be replicated in other communities: “We are in a position to advance the science of this for smaller communities.”

Mr. Tredinnick accepted the award from Dave Konkle, Energy Coordinator for Ann Arbor, Michigan, recipient of last year’s Invitational for the city’s white LED street lighting.

The City of Santa Rosa’s ABF project is designed to demonstrate a way for municipalities and agriculturalists to meet impending regulations while treating wastewater in an environmentally sound and economically sensible manner.

A record 29 entries were submitted to the awards program. Judges were faced with stiff competition from other ICLEI members that have implemented unique programs with significant greenhouse gas reduction potential – from local renewable energy projects to innovative waste reduction schemes. What set Santa Rosa’s program apart from other entries is its powerful ability to produce energy from wastewater, while at the same time recapturing methane, the most potent greenhouse gas. This project addresses a confluence of problems: water pollution, energy demand, and air pollution.

“Hundreds of local government leaders gathered in Albuquerque to learn from each other and honor innovative solutions to climate change,” said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director for ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. “Of the many unique aspects of Santa Rosa’s Aquatic Biomass to Fuel project is the ability for other communities to build on their leadership and success, multiplying the already robust benefits of the project.”

Contact:
Annie Strickler, 510.599.3021

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