The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week recognized the accomplishments of seven landfill methane partners that are generating renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including three in Pennsylvania.

The Landfill Methane Outreach Program awards were given out at the 11th Annual Landfill Methane Outreach Program Conference & Project Expo in Washington, D.C., The Pennsylvania awardees included:

Projects of the Year in PA: Greentree High Btu Landfill Gas Project, Kersey, Pa. - This project is one of the largest landfill gas projects in the country. The landfill gas is upgraded to natural gas quality and utilized in clean-burning power generation equipment to generate renewable power.

Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority, Chester County, Pa. - Relying on its staff and their motivation to succeed with minimal outside assistance, SECCRA Power forged ahead and developed this landfill gas energy project through a number of innovative approaches, including joining a regional transmission organization to sell green power.

"This is a singular honor for our authority and our 24 member municipalities," said SECCRA Chairman Richard Cairns. "Our board and our staff take pride in a

forward-thinking attitude and a steadfast commitment to serving our communities. This award signifies that SECCRA is a leader in responsible environmental stewardship and the development of green energy."

Community Partner in PA: Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority, Lebanon, Pa. - GLRA and PPL Renewable Energy created and built a Renewable Energy Education Facility that serves as an educational forum for local, national, and international visitors. With the goal of "empowering our future leaders with green energy," the project demonstrates the power of renewable energy from a 3.2 megawatt landfill gas energy project, 2,000 watt wind turbine, and 1,000 watt solar array (multiple solar panels).

"Not only does the facility generate electricity from a renewable fuel, but it also helps to raise awareness in the community about the benefits of alternative energy," said Kurt Zwerko, vice president for PPL Renewable Energy. "This award recognizes the efforts of PPL Renewable Energy to work with our partners to develop projects that benefit the environment and the community."

"Landfill gas energy projects play an important role in meeting the environmental and energy challenges of the 21st Century," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By turning methane waste into wealth, EPA and our partners are helping build a clean and plentiful energy supply for our country."

Methane, a primary component of landfill gas, is a greenhouse gas over 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Nationwide, there are approximately 435 projects that harness landfill gas to produce renewable energy.

In 2007 alone, these projects provided over 10.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and delivered 79 billion cubic feet per year of landfill gas to corporate and government users, and produced energy equivalent to powering roughly 810,000 homes and heating nearly 547,000 homes each year.

For 2007, EPA's LMOP is pleased to recognize projects that took innovative approaches to utilize landfill gas while delivering environmental and economic benefits. This year's award winners demonstrate creativity, persistence, and leadership in developing landfill gas energy projects that benefit the local and global community.

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.

The program also assists countries throughout the world in developing landfill methane reduction projects through the international Methane to Markets Partnership. Since 1994, LMOP has assisted in developing more than 330 landfill gas projects in the United States, reducing methane emissions by over 24 million metric tons of carbon equivalent.

For more information, visit the Landfill Methane Outreach Program webpage.

NewsClip: EPA Honors SECCRA With Award

1/11/2008