Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure company delivering integrated solutions to create reliable power and modernize infrastructure and the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority (RUSA) today announced that RUSA has received two 2026 Best of the Best Awards, presented by the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ACWA) at its July 17 ceremony in Bend, Oregon. RUSA received the Outstanding Member Agency Award for Innovation in Environmental Management in recognition of its renewable energy and resiliency initiative developed in collaboration with Ameresco. RUSA General Manager Jim Baird also received the Outstanding Individual Award for Innovation in Environmental Management in recognition of his leadership on the initiative and his broader contributions to the water and wastewater profession.
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From left to right on the picture: Christine Morris (RUSA Finance Director), Jim Baird (RUSA General Manager), Ryon Kershner (Supervising Engineering Technical III)
Ameresco – RUSA Initiative Strengthens Resilience and Reliability
The recognized initiative is a comprehensive, multi-facility renewable energy and resilience program combining solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and a battery energy storage system (BESS) at RUSA’s Main Office with planned solar PV projects at its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and Natural Treatment System (NTS). Together, the projects are expected to improve operational reliability, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen community resilience during grid disruptions.
Key elements and benefits of the initiative include:
- Once all three projects are complete, the initiative is expected to generate approximately 1.8 gWh of renewable electricity annually, offsetting approximately 100% of electrical consumption at the Main Office, 44% at the WWTP, and 64% at the NTS
- Innovative floating solar technology at the NTS, converting an existing treatment pond into a source of renewable energy without requiring new land
A layered funding strategy developed through RUSA’s partnership with Ameresco that combines grant funding from the Oregon Department of Energy’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (C-REP), financing through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Energy Trust of Oregon incentives for eligible project components, and federal investment tax credits to accelerate implementation while minimizing costs to RUSA and its ratepayers. Advancing the initiative has required close coordination among RUSA, Ameresco, and agency partners. The project team has worked with Oregon DEQ to align project design, environmental review, procurement, and construction requirements with CWSRF financing, while also coordinating C-REP grant requirements, Energy Trust of Oregon incentives, and federal tax-credit requirements across the phased initiative.
“We congratulate RUSA and Jim Baird on this well-deserved recognition,” said Louis Maltezos, Co-President of Ameresco. “Their leadership and commitment to advancing resilient energy infrastructure demonstrate the meaningful impact these projects can have on communities. We are proud to have partnered with them on this initiative.”
Jim Baird’s Leadership in Renewable Energy
Baird has served as RUSA’s General Manager for nine years and has worked in the Roseburg area’s water and wastewater field since 1991. He first evaluated renewable energy for the agency in 2018, and though the timing wasn’t right to move forward, Baird continued pursuing operational improvements. That opportunity came in 2023, when Baird led RUSA into a new collaboration with Ameresco through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), resulting in the solar and BESS initiative recognized today.
“I’m proud of this recognition because it reflects the years of work it has taken to build real resilience into how we serve this community,” said Jim Baird, General Manager of RUSA. “Modernizing our infrastructure means we can keep essential systems running when it matters most, during emergencies and beyond, and I’m grateful to our team for making this possible, and to Ameresco for their partnership along the way.”
To learn more about the RUSA solar PV project, visit www.ameresco.com/portfolio-item/roseburg-urban-sanitary-authority-solar-pv-project/.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure company delivering integrated solutions to create reliable power and modernize infrastructure. The company’s Power Infrastructure business integrates energy resources across behind-the-meter and utility-scale systems. Its Buildings & Public Infrastructure business modernizes the built environment with smart, connected solutions that optimize performance and enhance resilience. Ameresco is a trusted full lifecycle partner, delivering over $15 billion in solutions and contracting over 5 GW of energy resources since its founding in 2000. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Ameresco serves public and private sector customers across North America and Europe. Learn more at www.ameresco.com.
About Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority
Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority (RUSA) is a public utility dedicated to the management and treatment of wastewater for the City of Roseburg and the outlying area included in the Urban Growth Boundary. Established to protect public health and the environment, RUSA operates a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and a Natural Treatment System (NTS), focusing on sustainable water management practices. Committed to innovation and community welfare, RUSA continuously strives to implement renewable energy solutions and infrastructure upgrades, positioning itself as a leader in environmentally responsible wastewater management. RUSA’s mission is to provide high-quality services while promoting resource conservation and reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
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