Landfill Methane Outreach Program
EPA Recognizes Partners for Pursuing Renewable Energy Through the Creative Use of Landfill Gas (2008)
Each year, EPA recognizes the latest accomplishments of landfill methane Partners who have reduced emissions of methane and created renewable energy. LMOP acknowledges its Partners for excellence in innovation and creativity, success in promoting project development, and achieving environmental and economic benefits. On January 13, 2009, the Partners accepted the following awards at EPA's 12th Annual LMOP Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.
Projects of the Year: For 2008, LMOP is pleased to recognize landfill gas (LFG) energy projects that employed unique project structures and took creative approaches to utilize LFG from municipal solid waste landfills. This year's award winners demonstrate innovation, persistence, and leadership in developing LFG energy projects that help meet renewable energy goals and benefit the local and global community.
- Granger, Conestoga Landfill Gas Utilization Project, Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Granger Energy of Morgantown, LLC, assembled multiple parties and overcame barriers to create one of the largest multi-user projects in the country.
- SWACO Green Energy Center, Landfill Gas Energy Project, Grove City, Ohio. The Green Energy Center converts LFG to electricity for onsite use and is expected to produce enough compressed natural gas for vehicles to replace nearly 250,000 gallons of gasoline each year.
- Greenville Gas Producers, LLC, and Greenville County, Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville Gas Producers went the extra mile to sell their renewable energy. They built a new power line across a river, two natural gas distribution lines, another power line, three major roads, and numerous private landowners' properties.
Community Partner of the Year: Seward County, Liberal, Kansas. Mixing methane turned out to be a great idea in Seward County, where beef, belt buckles, and good old-fashioned persistence are the norm. Since early options proved unviable, Seward County pipes LFG to wastewater lagoons at a large energy user next door.
Industry Partner of the Year: Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Rutland, Vermont. Casella overcame numerous regulatory and legal challenges to complete four renewable energy projects in 2008. Casella and its partners now produce roughly 25 megawatts per hour of clean energy at five of the company's landfills, with plans for more in 2009.
Energy Provider Partner of the Year: Lansing Board of Water & Light, Lansing, Michigan. Actively pursuing renewable energy helped the Board meet its own renewable energy goals and spurred the development of two other LFG energy projects.
Energy End User Partner of the Year: MARS Snackfood US, Waco, Texas. MARS overcame concerns about using LFG, then educated and promoted LFG usage to the community, its suppliers, and customers.