The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $3 million grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for Easton Utilities to install a two-megawatt photovoltaic array at the Easton Sustainability Campus. “The addition of a solar array at the Campus will create a unique facility focused on resource conservation and provide a great benefit to our entire community,” stated Robert C. Willey, Mayor of Easton.
The solar array is the third component added to the renewable energy portfolio at the Easton Sustainability Campus, located at the Enriched Nutrient Removal Wastewater Treatment Facility. This array will provide 100% of the wastewater facility’s annual electrical consumption, generate renewable energy credits, and enable all Easton Utilities’ customers, in effect, to participate in solar regardless of housing situation (i.e. income, location, renter or owner). The solar project follows the recent installation of a Landfill Gas to Electric Generator, which is currently utilizing methane gas and converting it to green energy.
“The investment by MDE for this project will highlight Easton and Maryland as leading innovators in sustainability and the use of renewable energy,” said Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities. “It is a perfect example of state and local governments working together to protect our environment and serve our community.”
Construction will begin in late June with completion expected by November.