Gas is a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organic material in the landfill.
Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen and Solid Waste Manager Travis Ricker discuss a project that will reuse the natural gas for energy.
Currently, about 350 CFM is pulled from the underground wells at the landfill and burned off. Ricker estimates 50-60 percent of this gas is methane. A plant will be constructed at the landfill to clean up the natural gas to pipeline quality. Construction should begin in the next 60 days.
While the County is providing the use of the landfill gas, the plant and pipeline will be managed privately.
For the Solid Waste Department, the biggest benefit is the company overseeing the well field, tuning and expansions, as a large cost savings for taxpayers.
