Clinton, Maine (June 20, 2024) – Peaks Renewables (Peaks), a subsidiary of Summit Utilities, Inc., is honored to receive ecomaine’s 2024 Eco-Excellence Award. The award recognizes Peaks Renewables’ outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and its significant contributions to promoting eco-friendly practices within the business and community. The award is voted on by members of the ecomaine Board of Directors.  

"It is an honor for Peaks to receive ecomaine’s 2024 Eco-Excellence Award. We are very proud of our Clinton dairy digester, and it’s been exciting to see this project come to life. By partnering with our state’s dairy industry and local family farms, we are reducing emissions and generating home-grown gas to heat homes and warm businesses. At the same time, we are creating jobs and supporting our agricultural heritage in a sustainable way,” said Angus King III, President of Peaks Renewables.  

Peaks has demonstrated innovative efforts and dedication to sustainability through its renewable natural gas (RNG) dairy digester in Clinton, Maine. This project, the first of its kind in Maine, injects home-grown gas derived from dairy waste onto Summit Natural Gas of Maine’s (Summit) distribution system, significantly reducing emissions and supporting local agriculture. 

The RNG dairy digester, located at Flood Brothers' farm, receives manure from several local farms, including Gold Top Farm, Wright Place Farm, Taylor Dairy Farm, and Heifer Haven Farm. The facility is expected to produce about 45% of Summit's residential demand and will avoid emissions equivalent to taking 6,500 cars off the road annually. 

ecomaine's Eco-Excellence Award celebrates organizations and individuals who embody the spirit of environmental stewardship.  

“I am continually impressed by the efforts of our community members in the fields of sustainability and waste reduction. From individuals to non-profits to businesses such as Peaks Renewables, these awards allow us an opportunity to recognize those who are working to make Maine a more sustainable place,” said Kevin Roche, ecomaine CEO and General Manager.  

Other community leaders and partners of the dairy digester project react to the ecomaine award:   

State Senator Brad Farrin (District 3) said, “Peaks Renewables brings innovation to our region. I am pleased they are being recognized for networking seven different farms to produce renewable natural gas. In turn, the farmers receive bedding and fertilizer at no cost that is essential to their operations. It is a mutually beneficial relationship to celebrate.”  

Jenni Tilton-Flood with Flood Brothers Farm said, "As a dairy farmer, I am proud to be part of the Peaks dairy digester at our family farm in Clinton. This project not only helps us manage our manure and nutrients in an environmentally friendly way, but also creates a new source of local, sustainable, renewable energy for our community. I want to congratulate Peaks on receiving ecomaine's 2024 Eco-Excellence Award and thank them for their leadership and partnership in this innovative endeavor." 

Barney Wright with The Wright Place Farm said, "Working with Peaks on the dairy digester project has been great for our farm and the community. It's wonderful to see how our farm can help create clean energy for Mainers. The Eco-Excellence Award is a testament to the impressive work Peaks does to help create a sustainable future.”