EPA recognizes methane capture projects

Web exclusive posted Jan. 15, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. CST

The U.S. EPA recognized seven landfill methane capture projects at the 12th Annual Landfill Methane Outreach Program Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore on Jan. 13. The award-winning projects were recognized for excellence in innovation and creativity, success in promoting project development, and achieving environmental and economic benefits.

Three projects were recognized as LMOP projects of the year. They include:

• Ganger, Conestoga Landfill Gas Utilization Project in Morgantown, Pa. According to the EPA Web site, Granger Energy of Morgantown LLC assembled multiple parties to create the largest multi-user project in the country. A 9-mile pipeline connects two landfills, a utility and seven end users. It's estimated that the annual greenhouse gas emissions savings are equal to that of removing 8,500 vehicles from the road.


• SWACO Green Energy Center, Landfill Gas Energy Project in Grove City, Ohio. The Green Energy Center converts landfill gas into electricity for onsite use and is expected to produce enough compressed natural gas to replace nearly 250,000 gallons of gas annually. It's estimated that the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions comparable to the emissions emitted by 1,200 passenger vehicles.


• Greenville Gas Producers LLC and Greenville County in Greenville, S.C. Due to the fact that a local utility could not buy the power created by the company, Greenville Gas Producers built a power line that crossed a river, two natural gas distribution lines, another power line, three major roads, and numerous private landowners' properties, in order to connect to Duke Energy Carolinas' closest distribution line. It's estimated that the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to that produced by 25,000 passenger vehicles.

LMOP named Seward County in Liberal, Kan., as Community Partner of the Year, for its project that pipes landfill gas to wastewater lagoons at a large energy user next door.

Rutland, Vt.-based Casella Waste Systems Inc. was named Industry Partner of the Year. The company completed four renewable energy projects in 2008. Casella Waste System and its partners now produce approximately 25 megawatts per hour of electricity at five landfills. The company has plans to produce electricity at additional landfills in 2009.

LMOP awarded Energy Provider Partner of the Year to the Lansing Board of Water & Light in Lansing, Mich. The board was recognized for the active pursuit of renewable energy that helped meet its own renewable energy goals while spurring the development of two other landfill gas energy projects.

Waco, Texas-based MARS Snackfood U.S. was named Energy End User Partner of the Year. The company was able to overcome concerns about using landfill gas and then educated and promoted landfill gas usage to the community, its suppliers and customers.