After successfully focusing the last ten years on the overseas energy market, mostly with conventional cycle (gas and coal) power plants, we've decided to take the expertise we've gained in these harder-to-finance markets and apply these skills to the harder-to-finance renewable energy field in North America.

Our current efforts are focused on wastewater treatment plants, utilizing the by-products they create (methane and biosolids) as a source of fuel for renewable energy. Even though some of these by-products have a limited commercial use, more often than not,they are flared (in the case of methane) or dumped into landfills (in the case of biosolids), both of which are becoming less and less attractive and viable solutions in the wake of stricter environmental regulations.

Factoring in the expanding use of state-level renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and the potential for a federal RPS, currently under consideration by Congress, local governments (municipal, county and state) are looking for new solutions.

While we have experience with a myriad of different project models, we find the public-private partnership model most often fits best for this type of effort. Such a partnership enables the public partner to convert an expense into a revenue stream while minimizing the impact to the environment.

These facilities certainly carry their fair share of challenges, but unlike our overseas ventures, there is more political reward than risk associated with these types of projects. Renewable plants have the potential to be fantastic showcase projects for any community, and with an increased national focus on conservation and renewable resources, it's a timely approach.

Access is currently in the pre-development stage for two wastewater treatment-based power plants in the West and one in the Northeast. Although our efforts are currently concentrated on biofuels, we are not limited in our scope, as our development model can apply to a wide variety of renewable applications.