Veolia ES And Beacon Landfill Gas Holdings Win EPA Award For Landfill Project
Kersey, PA - Veolia Environmental Services (Veolia ES) announced that the high BTU landfill gas project installed on its Greentree Landfill was chosen as the Environmental Protection Agency's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (EPA LMOP) "2007 Project of the Year." The award was made recently at the 11th Annual LMOP Conference and Project Expo in Washington, DC. Each year, LMOP recognizes its partners for excellence in innovation and creativity; success in promoting project development; and achieving environmental and economic benefits.
Commercially operational since July 2007, the project at the Veolia ES Greentree Landfill is one of the largest high Btu projects in the United States. A collaborative effort between Veolia and Beacon Landfill Gas Holdings LLC, the project converts landfill gas into pipeline quality natural gas. This gas is then used to produce environmentally clean electric power while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Collaboration combined with hard work and forward thinking are the key ingredients to successful alternative energy projects like the Greentree Landfill Gas to Energy project," said Rachel Goldstein, EPA LMOP Program Manager. "It is a win for the environment and our economy."
Todd Watermolen, VP of Engineering and Environmental Compliance with Veolia ES Solid Waste, has been working on this particular landfill gas utilization project for almost 10 years. "Our goal has always been to go above and beyond in building a safe environment and sustainable future. It's great to see our efforts be nationally recognized by this important program."
Ralph Daley, President of Beacon, concurred. "We're very proud of this project," he said. "The landfill gas at Greentree, that would otherwise be flared at the site, is turned into renewable energy gas, purchased by a third party and used to efficiently generate electricity at major central electric power plants. It's what sustainability is all about."
The estimated annual environmental benefits and energy savings associated with the Greentree project are equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions by over 137,000 tons/year, removing emissions equivalent to more than 228,000 vehicles, and producing enough energy to heat approximately 75,000 homes.
"Cooperation between our partners and local and state regulators was the key to success for this project," said Don Henrichs, Veolia ES Greentree Landfill manager. "Partners Beacon and American Exploration Company along with the team of consultants - Blazosky Associates Inc. and Wetland Habitat Management Inc. - were all instrumental in achieving this accomplishment." Construction of the project was completed on schedule by EMCOR Energy Services with engineering support from PB Power. John Hancock Life Insurance Company provided debt financing.
SOURCE: Veolia Environmental Services