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Genesee County seeks $3 million toward $9 million biogas project to cut treatment plant power costs
Summary
Genesee County Drain Commission representatives requested roughly $3 million in state assistance for a $9 million biogas‑to‑electricity project at a wastewater treatment plant intended to generate on‑site power, reduce consumer electric costs by about 50%, and lower the facility carbon footprint.
Genesee County officials told the subcommittee they are designing a biogas energy‑recovery project for a District 3 wastewater treatment facility that would convert solids to biogas, process the gas and generate electricity on‑site to supply part of the plant’s power needs.
"We anticipate we can cut approximately 50% of our electric bill from consumers by this project," John O’Brien, director of Genesee County Water and Waste Services, said. He described the project as roughly $9,000,000 in total, with the county requesting about $3,000,000 in state assistance and funding the remainder from ratepayer revenues.
O’Brien said the county already operates an anaerobic digester at a larger facility and that the current project is under design. Committee members asked about federal grant pursuit and operational oversight; O’Brien said the county had pursued renewable energy grants previously without success and that Genesee County Water and Waste has operating staff to manage digesters. He cited Public Act 342 as the legal structure that allows the county to provide water and wastewater services to multiple municipalities.
No action was taken on the funding request; presenters said they will supply more detailed budget and timeline documents upon request.
