DEP Approves PPL Utilities Plan to Convert Cumberland County Landfill Gas to Energy

A new PPL Utilities landfill gas-to-energy generation facility was approved this week by the Department of Environmental Protection.

 

PPL Electric Utilities will capture methane gas produced from decomposing garbage at the Cumberland County Landfill and convert it into electricity that will be sold into the electricity power distribution grid.

 

“Advanced energy projects like this one are critical to helping the state’s communities and businesses manage increasing energy costs by using alternative and innovative technologies,” said DEP Southcentral Regional Office Director Rachel Diamond. “Landfill gas-to-energy facilities are creating a solution to an environmental issue and an economic opportunity for our region and the Commonwealth.”

 

Methane gas captured from landfills can be transformed into a cost-effective fuel to generate electricity. The electricity produced from landfill gas feeds the electricity distribution grid that powers commonwealth homes and businesses.

 

PPL, which will own and operate the facility on the landfill property, will use four Caterpillar engines to produce up to 6.4 megawatts of electricity. The company is required by DEP to have the facility operational by November.

 

In addition to the air quality plan, DEP also approved a minor modification to the waste management permit.

 

For more information, visit the Landfill Gas Partnership webpage.