Energy 2001 and Sierra College Partner to Benefit Business & Technology Students
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2015
Contact: Todd Stenhouse, Energy 2001, 916-397-1131, [email protected]
Sue Michaels/Dianne Wright, Sierra College, 916-660-7272, [email protected] or [email protected]
Energy 2001, WPWMA, Sierra College Team Up for Solar Class at WRSL
ROCKLIN: – Energy 2001, the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA), and Sierra College have announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that will provide Sierra College Business and Technology students the opportunity to plan, construct and install a 9KW commercial solar array at the Western Regional Sanitary Landfill (WRSL) this fall.
Energy 2001, which operates a 5mW landfill gas to electricity power plant at the WRSL that produces enough electricity to power 3,000 homes every year, is providing funding for the project.
“The rapidly growing field of renewable energy holds unlimited potential for our community, our economy, and our future,” Laura Rasmussen, Energy 2001’s owner and Chief Operating Officer. “We believe the key to unlocking this potential is to provide real world training for the next generation of energy innovators and entrepreneurs, and that’s what makes this new partnership with WPWMA and Sierra College so exciting.”
The project will be part of Sierra College’s fall 2015 Advanced Solar Class, taught by energy entrepreneur Steve Geiger. Planning and materials will be provided by Placer County based Brower Engineering, as well as SMR, Inc.
“This project illustrates the kinds of hands on training Sierra College students’ experience that is so important in today’s economy,” said Sierra College President Willy Duncan. “Partnerships with companies like Energy 2001, a champion of math and science education, provide opportunities for our students that are extremely beneficial.”
The first-of-its kind project was made possible with the unanimous support of the Sierra College Board of Trustees and the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA)–a joint powers authority governed by Placer County and the Cities of Roseville, Lincoln and Rocklin– which operates the WRSL.
“Finding new and cost effective ways to serve the community lies at the heart of the WPWMA’s mission,” said WPWMA Board Chairman and Placer County Supervisor Jack Duran. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming a new generation of aspiring innovators to the WRSL next fall.”
Energy 2001 operates a 5 MegaWatt Power Plant at the Western Regional Sanitary Landfill near Roseville, California. This facility, which includes a small flare and six CAT 3516 Landfill Gas Electricity Generators, is the product of a eighteen year partnership with the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA)—a joint powers authority created in 1978 to meet the recycling and waste disposal needs of the citizens of Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Loomis, Auburn and Colfax. www.energy2001.com