Coast Guard celebrates Earth Day with renewable energy center

History Making Event: U.S. Coast Guard “Light-Off” Ceremony for Landfill Gas Renewable Energy Center

When: Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2009; 8:30 a.m.

Where: The U.S. Coast Guard Yard, located on Exit 1, Baltimore Beltway, I-695

What: The Coast Guard Yard opens the Landfill Gas Renewable Energy Center in official ceremonies on Earth Day 2009 with start-up of main engines that will burn methane from a nearby Baltimore City landfill and convert the gas into two forms of energy – electricity and steam – for the shipyard’s energy use. “Light-Off” is a maritime term indicating completion of the major mechanical and electrical systems of a ship, making it “ready” for sail. “Light-Off” of the Landfill Gas Renewable Energy Center signals the Coast Guard Yard is “ready” to operate with renewable energy for the next 15 years.

Why: The Coast Guard Yard will become the first U.S. Coast Guard facility worldwide to be 100% self-powered by renewable energy. The project will meet the renewable energy requirements for the entire Department of Homeland Security for the next four years and will be the first landfill gas co-generation center in the State of Maryland. Since the shipyard will make its own electricity and steam, there will be less demand on the regional electric grid, a plus for national security during peak electric load days. The initiative is equivalent to removing over 33,000 cars from the road in greenhouse gas reduction.

Who: Honored dignitaries joining in the celebration include Mayor Sheila Dixon, Mayor of the City of Baltimore, and Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo, Assistant Commandant for Engineering & Logistics, U.S. Coast Guard.

How: The centerpiece of the Earth Day event is the ceremonial lighting of an historic Fresnel lens with methane converted electricity. The featured Fresnel lens is a Fifth Order drum lens used over 80 years ago in minor lighthouses to guide mariners to safety. Originally lighted with whale oil, the Fresnel lenses have used electricity for their power source since the early 20^th century. On April 22^nd, old technology meets modern, green technology with the lighting of a Fresnel lens with electricity converted from landfill methane gas. To demonstrate the Renewable Energy Center’s co-generated steam energy form, the Yard’s steam-operated whistle will loudly blow when the Fresnel lens is lit to commence the largest renewable energy project in Coast Guard history.

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