The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week recognized the latest accomplishments of landfill methane partners who have reduced emissions of methane and created renewable energy sources, including two Pennsylvania organizations.

Biodiesel Industries, Chester County, Pa. and the Department of Environmental Protection received partner and project of the year awards for excellence in reducing landfill methane emissions and creating renewable energy, along with six others.

EPA has assisted in the development of more than 200 landfill gas energy projects in the past 10 years. In 2005 alone, landfill gas energy projects in the U.S. provided over 9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and 74 billion cubic feet of gas for corporate and government end users. The emissions reductions associated with these projects last year were equal to those from 13 million vehicles. The energy equivalent would be powering 725,000 homes and heating 1.2 million homes.

The partners accepted the following awards at EPA's Ninth Annual Landfill Methane Outreach Program Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore.

Here more on the Pennsylvania award winners--

· Project of the Year: Direct Use. Chester County, Pa. and Granger Energy - Landfill gas from the Lanchester Landfill is delivered to four local companies, offsetting their reliance on natural gas and providing considerable cost savings; and

· State Partner of the Year: The Department of Environmental Protection - The state agency provides a full spectrum of technical assistance services, financial incentives, and renewable energy programs for landfill gas energy development.

Information about other award winners is available online.

EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by supporting landfill gas energy project development.

For more information, visit the Methane to Markets webpage.

NewsClip: Granger Energy Wins Project of Year Award

2/10/2006