The MRRC, located on a half-acre site in Middlebury, is a cutting-edge facility designed to convert food and beverage waste into renewable biogas. Through PurposeEnergy’s innovative Tribrid-Bioreactor system, the center processes approximately 80,000 gallons of organic waste daily, producing 1.014 MW of electricity for Vermont homes and businesses on a 24/7 basis. This environmentally focused project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 2,000 tons of CO2 each year, equivalent to eliminating 278 tanker truck trips each month.

The project’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy generation. The MRRC also plays a vital role in phosphorus sequestration, preventing over 60 tons of phosphorus from entering Otter Creek and Lake Champlain annually. Furthermore, the facility’s infrastructure supports local food and beverage manufacturers, such as Agri-Mark for Cabot Creamery and Vermont Cider Company, by offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for waste disposal.

The project faced numerous challenges but by embracing a collaborative, transparent approach, we delivered a successful project with zero safety incidents.

Winning the AGC Vermont Best Builders Award is a proud moment for our team, and we look forward to the continued positive impact the MRRC will have on Vermont’s communities.

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The heart of the facility is PurposeEnergy’s patented Tribrid-Bioreactor, which converts organics in food and beverage waste into a biogas that then generates electricity. That process is supported by three 47-foot-tall steel digester tanks, two 33-foot-tall steel flow equalization tanks, hydrogen sulfide scrubbing equipment, and methane and thermal energy recovery systems. PC also installed new offsite pump stations and force mains to allow several nearby food and beverage manufacturers to connect directly to the facility.

In addition to the large producers directly connected to the facility (Agri-Mark for Cabot Creamery and the Vermont Cider Company), the MRRC can also accept food waste from other producers within 50 miles. The project offers these manufacturers a lower-cost, greener alternative for disposing of food waste, and it supports renewable energy generation by producing 1.014 MW of electricity for Vermont homes and businesses on a 24/7 basis.

When fully operational, the MRRC will treat approximately 80,000 gallons of food waste and wastewater per day, converting over 90% of the organic content into renewable biogas. It is estimated that this facility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,000 tons of CO2 per year, primarily by the elimination of 278 tanker truck trips each month.

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Current work includes 11,000 square feet of renovations and fit-ups to multiple spaces within the Forbush building of the existing 300,000-square-foot Patrick-Forbush-Gutterson Athletic Complex. A former racquetball court, which was demolished during our earlier phase of work, will be fit-up to create a hydrotherapy center with three pools for athlete treatment. Additional existing shell space will be transformed into the University’s new academic success space. With seven offices, a conference room, a kitchenette and study areas, the space will support student-athletes with their academic needs. Additional areas will receive renovations to create a new multipurpose room and an office suite for the UVM Catamounts men and women hockey coaches. Associated infrastructure improvements include a new energy recovery unit and rooftop ductwork distribution.

This $5.2 million project, which comes on the heels of the successfully completed Athletic Campus Renovations and Additions project, will wrap up this November. Stay tuned for more updates about this exciting project!

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My story began much like many others in the industry – I was exposed to something that just clicked. For me, I grew up watching This Old House. I was fascinated by the transformation that occurs during the construction process and I loved all the different phases: the tearing down, digging up, the framework, the systems, the problem-solving along the way, and finally dressing up the final space. It’s a dynamic process, and I was immediately interested in being a part of every step.

Not only is the construction process dynamic, but so is life and the world. During my tenure at PC, I’ve gotten married, had children, been through a pandemic and went from being a green project engineer to an experienced construction professional. Every step of the way, I had a supportive company and encouraging leaders rooting for me and supporting my goals, both personal and professional.

During that time, I’ve also seen the industry change and grow. As construction professionals, we are looked upon to put work in place but also to share our expertise, to be partners with the owners and designers and help guide their vision. We are more technically advanced and efficient that I ever could have imagined 20 years ago. It’s amazing to think about all the change and growth that I have seen over the years. It makes the future even more exciting to imagine.

This year’s Women in Construction Week theme – ‘Keys to the Future’ – celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry. How can women shape the future of our industry? How can we use our collective strength and knowledge to make a difference? The opportunities are abundant! We need more craftworkers. We need people who can deftly move between the technical requirements of the job while excelling at skills such as navigating difficult conversations. We need people who can organize. We need people who can lead. We need people who can inspire others to work hard and grow. All of these industry needs are areas where women can shine and bring unique perspectives and energy.

The future is bright, and we need a diverse team to accomplish great things!

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