MEMBER’S PRESS RELEASE: American Organic Energy Chooses GE Water as Technology Provider

American Organic Energy chooses GE Water as its technology provider to transform Long Island food waste processing into sustainable leader

American Organic Energy has taken a significant step toward building the most sophisticated food waste processing plant in the Northeast by picking GE Water to provide several key pieces of the technology needed to convert organic waste into sustainable energy, clean water and garden-friendly compost.

With GE Water now on board, American Organic Energy is poised to launch the first anaerobic digester system in our region at Long Island Compost’s 62-acre site in Yaphank, NY.  Once in operation early next year, this innovative facility promises to revolutionize waste disposal practices throughout Long Island. It will accept 120,000 tons of food waste, 30,000 tons of fats, oils and greases, and 10,000 tons of grass clippings that otherwise would have been transported to landfills off Long Island and convert them all into vehicle fuel, electricity, compost, clean water and fertilizer, while reducing more than 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of removing 8,125 cars from the roadways.

GE Water will provide six anaerobic digesters, which use bacteria to decompose organic matter in the absence of oxygen; the necessary equipment to convert the methane from the decomposition process into renewable natural gas to power the facility and fuel the trucks on site; and a state-of-the-art water treatment system so this natural resource is returned to the environment clean and safe. 

Heiner Markhoff, President and CEO, water and distributed power for GE Power, said:

GE is pleased to be a part of the American Organic Energy project, as it represents a significant step in transforming how solid wastes will be managed in New York State as a potential renewable energy resource.

Charles Vigliotti, American Organic Energy CEO, sees the partnership with GE as the capstone to a remarkable project:

My brother Arnold and I are thrilled to have GE as a partner in this project. The AOE anaerobic digester facility is vital to our region and it’s imperative that the technology be state-of-the-art. GE not only brings experience and a deep understanding of the complexities of a facility of this magnitude, but they bring an enthusiasm that is contagious. We truly couldn’t be happier to have them on board.

Kevin S. Law, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, said:

AOE’s anaerobic digester is a great project for our region as it is both good for the environment and good for our economy.

Mike Land, director of Baker Tilly, the company handling the financing, said:

GE Water is one of the world’s leading providers of process technologies with an impressive track record of successfully implementing innovative solutions at significant scale. Their addition to the AOE project team is a meaningful step forward for AOE.

Established by Long Island Compost, American Organic Energy’s corporate headquarters are at 100 Urban Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590; 516-334-6600. AOE Recycling Facility is at 445 Horseblock Road, Yaphank, NY 11980; 631-289-7260. Email: info@usbiopower.com. www.usbiopower.com.