The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority has approved two agreements with Perdue AgriBusiness for the sale of renewable, waste-to-energy steam for use at Perdue’s planned soybean processing plant in Conoy Township.

The two agreements encompass an Equipment & Facilities Agreement and Utilities Agreement which detail the business arrangement between LCSWMA and Perdue.

Located next to LCSWMA’s 1,200 ton per day Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility, Perdue’s plant will utilize recycled steam from LCSWMA’s WTE Facility in the processing of soybeans. Additionally, Perdue will return the used processing water and steam condensate to LCSWMA, where it will be treated and recycled back into the WTE system.

“Our Board of Directors approving these agreements is a big step towards the realization of this innovative project,” says Jim Warner, CEO for LCSWMA. “While we have several more months of preparations ahead of us, we’re thrilled to solidify our business arrangement with Perdue. This project will greatly benefit the agricultural community in Lancaster County and bring a trusted, well-known brand to our area.”

Perdue’s plant will offer a more environmentally friendly footprint compared to the typical soybean processing plant. The desire to enact a green approach for their new plant prompted Perdue to seek a partnership with LCSWMA for utilizing renewable waste-to-energy steam as an environmentally conscious alternative to fossil fuels.

The planned 1,500 ton per day soybean crush plant will be located on a 57-acre piece of land, adjacent to LCSWMA’s WTE Facility. This project will generate more than 150 construction jobs, 35 long-term jobs upon completion and an additional 500 jobs in crop production and transportation.

3/25/2013