The old adage is “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” but the collaboration between an environmental services company, an electric coop, a methane gas company and the local and state government is turning millions of tons of trash into the treasure of many.
The unveiling of a new trash-to-energy facility in Richmond sets an example of how innovation can help meet energy demand and preserve the environment.
Across the U.S., thousands of mountainous caches of trash do not only exist, but grow everyday… and will decompose and emit harmful methane gas. But several companies are converting these landfills into methane wells, which are like natural gas wells and can be used to power vehicles, homes, and businesses. Mark Comora, President of Fortistar, said this process is cleaner than just burning the methane, and is the only renewable energy source with a continuous flow. He said the new plant can power 4500 homes.
“There’s about 1.5 billion tons on landfills that have not yet been developed in the country. That would be sufficient for one-thousand megawatts of electricity. That would require about two-and-a-half billion dollars of capital. Two-and-half billion dollars means jobs, and that would be sufficient to power 675,000 homes,” says Comora.
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling said an added benefit is that except for permitting, the government has no part in building these facilities—thus promoting free enterprise without using scarce state funds.
— Tommie McNeil
Virginia Public Radio 