City of Burlington Electric Department (BED) is a municipal utility that provides electricity to the City of Burlington, Vermont. BED has been a leader in renewable energy development for over two decades, and has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative and successful efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy practices.

One of BED's key areas of focus is the development of renewable energy projects in the biomass and waste sectors. Biomass refers to organic matter, such as wood chips, that can be burned to produce energy. Waste refers to materials that would otherwise be sent to a landfill, such as food scraps and yard waste, that can be converted into energy through a process called anaerobic digestion.

BED's biomass and waste projects are designed to reduce the city's reliance on fossil fuels and promote local, sustainable energy sources. The projects also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a circular economy by diverting waste from landfills and turning it into a valuable resource.

One of BED's most notable biomass projects is the McNeil Generating Station, a 50 MW wood-fired power plant that provides about one-third of the city's electricity. The McNeil plant was built in 1984 and was one of the first large-scale biomass facilities in the country. The plant burns wood chips sourced from sustainably managed forests in Vermont and New York, and has a net-zero carbon footprint because the carbon emissions from burning wood are offset by the carbon sequestration of new tree growth.

In addition to the McNeil plant, BED has also developed smaller-scale biomass projects, such as a wood chip boiler at the Burlington International Airport and a wood pellet boiler at the Fletcher Free Library. These projects provide local sources of heat and reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating.

BED's waste projects include the Burlington Renewable Energy System (BRES), a 12.5 MW anaerobic digestion facility that converts food waste and other organic materials into biogas, which is then burned to produce electricity. The BRES facility was built in 2014 and is one of the largest anaerobic digestion facilities in the country. The facility processes about 12,000 tons of food waste and other organic materials per year, and produces enough electricity to power about 8,000 homes.

BED has also developed smaller-scale waste projects, such as a food waste composting program for local restaurants and a pilot program to collect food waste from households. These programs help to divert waste from landfills and turn it into a valuable resource for energy production and soil health.

BED's biomass and waste projects have been successful in reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions and promoting local, sustainable energy sources. According to BED's 2020 Annual Report, the McNeil plant and BRES facility together produced about 47% of the city's electricity in 2020, and the city's overall greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by about 30% since 2006.

BED's biomass and waste projects also have economic benefits for the city and region. The McNeil plant and BRES facility support local jobs and provide a market for sustainably managed forests and organic waste materials. The projects also help to stabilize electricity prices and reduce the city's dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.

In addition to its biomass and waste projects, BED has also developed renewable energy projects in other sectors, such as solar and wind. BED's solar projects include a 500 kW solar array at the airport and a 2.2 MW solar array on a closed landfill. BED's wind projects include a 2.5 MW wind turbine on Georgia Mountain and a 100 kW wind turbine at the wastewater treatment plant.

BED's renewable energy projects have been recognized nationally and internationally for their innovation and success. BED has received numerous awards, including the American Public Power Association's Energy Innovator Award and the International District Energy Association's System of the Year Award.

Overall, BED's biomass and waste projects demonstrate the potential for local, sustainable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote a circular economy, and provide economic benefits for communities. BED's leadership in renewable energy development serves as a model for other municipalities and utilities seeking to transition to a more sustainable energy future.