New Renewable Energy Project at Sunshine Canyon Landfill Capable of Powering Nearly 25,000 Los Angeles Area Homes

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Apr 30, 2015, 01:45 ET

SYLMAR, Calif., April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) announced today a new landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project located at Sunshine Canyon Landfill near Los Angeles. The 20-megawatt renewable energy project is capable of generating enough electricity to power nearly 25,000 area homes.

"Landfills play a more consequential role in society now than ever before," said Ron Krall, area president of Republic Services. "Today's landfill must be sophisticated, and leverage the power of science and engineering to help regenerate the local ecosystem. Sunshine Canyon Landfill has enabled growth in Los Angeles for decades, and now it will be there to help a great community achieve its sustainability goals."

Republic Services partnered with Sunshine Gas Producers, a joint venture between DTE Biomass Energy and Aria Energy, to develop the Sunshine Canyon LFGTE project.

"This partnership is another example of how technology and simple, hard work can result in a project that's good for the environment and the local community," said Mark Cousino, president of DTE Biomass Energy. "It has been a pleasure working with Republic and Aria Energy to deliver California's newest renewable energy facility."

"Aria Energy is very pleased to join Republic Services and DTE Biomass in bringing online Sunshine Canyon, our 44^th renewable energy project and sixth project with DTE Biomass," said Richard M. DiGia, president and CEO of Aria Energy. "This project is directly aligned with our business strategy and will further help fulfill California's 33 percent renewable energy goal through our investment in this baseload electric production facility."

LFGTE projects typically involve capturing methane from biogas, which is generated by the decomposition of waste within a landfill. The methane is converted into renewable energy sources, in this case electricity that supplies the power grid. This process can displace the use of fossil fuels for energy generation and use, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a community.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), LFGTE projects reduce reliance on non-renewable energy resources, such as coal or petroleum. The EPA estimates that three megawatts of energy produced from landfill gas is equivalent to preventing carbon emissions generated by the consumption of 16.6 million gallons of gasoline. Based on EPA calculations, the carbon emissions prevented by the new Sunshine Canyon LFGTE project from entering the air is equivalent to the consumption of more than 100 million gallons of gasoline.

Republic Services of Los Angeles serves more than 100 jurisdictions throughout Los Angeles County, operating approximately 480 hauling routes per day. Republic employs roughly 2,000 people in Los Angeles County, and operates six transfer stations, one recycling center and a landfill in the area. Through legacy companies, Republic Services has been proudly serving customers throughout the Los Angeles area for nearly 60 years.

Republic Services operates eight LFGTE projects in the State of California, and 73 total LFGTE projects nationwide. Combined, these projects capture and convert enough landfill gas into energy to power more than 250,000 homes per year. According to the EPA, the carbon emissions prevented by these projects from entering the air is equal to removing more than four million cars from our roads or planting more than 4.5 million acres of trees each year.

Republic Services is dedicated to maintaining a balance between its business operations and protecting the environment and communities it serves. Known as the Blue Planet^TM sustainability initiative, Republic Services is defining its approach to environmental responsibility through decreased vehicle emissions, innovative landfill technologies, use of renewable energy, community engagement and employee growth opportunities. To view Republic's 2014 Sustainability Report, go to www.republicservices.com/sustainabilityreport.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste. Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for their commercial, industrial, municipal, residential and oilfield customers. We'll handle it from here.^TM, the brand's tagline, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet^TM for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com. "Like" Republic on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepublicServices and follow on Twitter @RepublicService.

About DTE Biomass Energy
DTE Biomass Energy builds and operates facilities that convert landfill gas, or methane, emitted from decomposing landfill refuse into beneficial energy such as electricity and steam. Ann Arbor, Mich.-based DTE Biomass Energy operates landfill sites across the United States. These projects recover millions of cubic feet of methane per day, preventing its escape into the atmosphere where it is considered to be a greenhouse gas. www.dtebiomassenergy.com

About Aria Energy
Headquartered in Novi, MI, Aria Energy provides baseload renewable energy to utilities and other customers across the United States. Aria Energy owns and/or operates a diversified portfolio of renewable energy projects across 16 states, collectively representing 265.9 MW-equivalent of baseload renewable energy capacity. For additional information, please visit: http://www.ariaenergy.com/. The majority of Aria Energy is owned by power and energy private equity funds managed by Ares EIF Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management, L.P. For additional information, please visit: http://www.aresmgmt.com/.

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SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.