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BACKGROUND Biosolids is the residual organic material remaining after the treatment of wastewater. Biosolids go through anaerobic digestion treatment in wastewater treatment plants, to reduce the biosolids, and to stabilize the organic material which becomes odor and pathogen free. A by-product of this process is the production of methane gas. The methane gas is then used in the wastewater treatment plant for onsite power generation. The biosolids are then "dewatered" prior to disposal. Some facilities across the country dispose of the biosolids through incineration, co- composting with vegetation, materials or transport to landfills. However the vast majority of facilities spread the biosolids on agricultural land. In California most of the biosolids are transported into rural counties for disposal although some southern California agencies transport biosolids by rail to Nevada or Arizona. In most locations, biosolids are being used to enrich farm lands and reduce fertilizer use. However, in the late 90's many rural California counties began prohibiting the import of biosolids from outside the county. Many landfills are also putting a limit on the amount of biosolids that will be accepted limiting the use to being mixed with dirt for daily cover. The primary reason for the prohibition was not related to health and safety. In some locations land was taken out of agricultural production and simply became a disposal site which was declared incompatible with county planning regulations. The primary reason for the bans was "environmental justice". Rural counties did not want to become the dumping ground for urban areas. Theoretically, biosolids have adequate remaining organic content to be an energy source. However, after treatment and dewatering biosolids retain 95% water by weight. The water is "bound" not "free flowing" and is difficult and energy intensive to remove. Because of concerns about the energy future of the world, over the last 20 years substantial research has gone into development of process to use biosolids to produce renewable energy, particularly in Europe. Dublin San Ramon Services District ("District") does not dewater biosolids after anaerobic digestion but places the biosolids in stabilization basins. The biosolids remain in the basins a minimum of four years for further stabilization and to obtain an EPA rating of "Class A" which results in no restrictions for land application. The biosolids are then applied to the land adjacent to the stabilization basins. The District facilities for processing biosolids are north of the treatment plant site across Stoneridge Drive. A number of Bay Area entities, faced with the loss of disposal sites, began working together to determine the feasibility of emerging "waste to energy" technologies to process biosolids locally, produce renewable net energy, reduce production of greenhouse gases and reduce the carbon foot print of biosolids disposal. DSRSD was one of the founding members in the 90's of a "Coalition" to investigate implementation of a regional processing facility. The DSRSD biosolids facilities are very low cost compared to most agencies and have an estimated 40-50 year life. However, prudent biosolids management should have a backup option for disposal in case of an operational issue or changes in regulations. In Page 2 of 5