 | |  Jackson County NC Green Energy Park
| Location | Dillsboro, North Carolina | | End User(s) | Jackson County Green Energy Park | | Sector(s) | Greenhouse, Heritage crafts | | Landfill(s) | Jackson County Landfill | | Landfill Size | 0.75 million tons waste-in-place (1996) | | Project Type | Greenhouse and Direct Thermal (blacksmithing) | | Project Size | 40 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) | | Environmental Benefits | Annual greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to planting 1,300 acres of forest, removing the emissions of 900 vehicles, or preventing the use of 11,100 barrels of oil. Annual energy savings equate to heating 300 homes. Estimated emissions reductions of 0.0013 million metric tons of carbon equivalents. | | LMOP Partners Involved | Jackson County Green Energy Park, McGee Environmental, Inc., North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources |
 Jackson County, NC went all the way in creating an energy park to fuel the local economy. In October 2006, the county celebrated the initial phase of its conversion of a closed and aging landfill site into a thriving energy park that will provide up to 20 new jobs. The park includes three professional blacksmith studios and a series of greenhouses—all using landfill gas (LFG) as fuel. During its first year, the project also provided LFG to a biodiesel refinery. For its creative use of LFG, the Jackson County Green Energy Park earned LMOP’s 2006 Project of the Year award.
The project’s highlights include the following:
- First to fire LFG in a blacksmith forge, reaching temperatures of 1,900°F.
- Over 7,000 square feet of greenhouse space heated with LFG allows county to grow its own landscaping plants.
- Future phases include pottery and glass blowing studios, retail gallery, classrooms, and a botanical/agricultural products drying facility.
The Jackson County Green Energy Park will offer students, energy professionals, engineers, and tourists alike the opportunity to see and experience first-hand LFG being used as a fuel. The energy park will have a significant impact on the local economy for many years to come and will be a model for LFG utilization and renewable energy applications.
Last Updated: 5/12/2008
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