Across the San Francisco Bay Area, agencies have implemented programs to capture methane gas through anaerobic digestion. However, energy value still remains in the biosolids after digestion. Sixteen Bay Area agencies have formed a Coalition to create a local sustainable solution to biosolids management by utilizing the remaining energy. Identified as the Bay Area Biosolids to Energy (BAB2E) project, most of the participating agencies presently utilize a combination of hauling biosolids for land application and/or alternative daily cover at landfills and would like to see these beneficial uses preserved. However, increasingly restrictive regulations and diminishing landfill capacity have been the impetus to seek a long term sustainable alternative.

The agencies are currently exploring opportunities to diversify biosolids management options with the development of a regional facility that will use biosolids and other biofuels to generate renewable energy. Locating a regional facility within the Bay Area would have the added benefit of reducing vehicle miles, currently estimated to exceed 800,000 miles per year, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions associated with hauling.

While open to the use of any of the available technologies, the BAB2E project is seeking to exceed air regulations and to maximize net energy production with state of art equipment.

The current Coalition members are: Central Marin Sanitation Agency; City of Burlingame; City of Livermore; City of Millbrae; City of Richmond; Delta Diablo Sanitation District; Dublin San Ramon Services District; Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District; Ironhouse Sanitary District; North San Mateo County Sanitation District; San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District; South Bayside System Authority; Union Sanitary District; Vallejo Sanitation & Flood Control District; and, West County Wastewater District. The Coalition may increase or decrease in membership as the project develops.

The Coalition operates under a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA).  For the full agreement, download the JEPA.