Glen Burnie Landfill to Power County

By Kathy Knotts

A closed landfill in Glen Burnie will become a source of solar-generated electricity for Anne Arundel County. Last week Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman signed a bill for a public-private partnership with Ameresco for a solar project on the property.

The county will lease about 20 acres of the closed Glen Burnie Landfill to Ameresco to build a solar energy generating facility. Over the next 25 years, the county will receive $3.08 million in lease payments, and will purchase solar energy from Ameresco at set costs estimated to save taxpayers $3.68 million. Together, the county estimates the solar project will provide $6.75 million in taxpayer savings. 

“This landfill solar project is proof that clean energy is a sound investment,” said Pittman. “With this project, and the renewable energy commitments we are making in the executive order, we are saving taxpayers money and ushering in a cleaner and greener Anne Arundel County for all.”     

The solar project was made possible by two unanimous county council votes to approve a lease agreement and a power purchase agreement between Ameresco and the county. Installation of the panels is set to begin this year.

“The partnership between Anne Arundel County and Ameresco to develop and implement this combination net energy metering and community solar program will provide energy cost savings, leverage the use of an underutilized land asset that will produce revenue for the County, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change,” said Jonathan Mancini, Ameresco Senior Vice President of Solar Project Development. “We commend the county’s leadership in clean energy innovation that will deliver economic and environmental benefits to the Anne Arundel County community.”

The county is aiming to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Executive Order 57, also signed by Pittman last week, commits the county to using less electricity and purchasing electricity from renewable sources. The order requires the county to partner with the private sector to build more solar energy facilities on brownfields, landfills, and other county-owned properties; retrofit existing buildings to use less energy, and design newer, more energy efficient buildings. 

“Renewable energy has arrived in Anne Arundel County, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues on the county council and County Executive Steuart Pittman to make sure that renewable energy is here to stay,” said Lisa Rodvien, council chair. “The landfill solar project and renewable energy commitments position our county to be a leader in renewable energy policy for years to come.”