Opportunities and Barriers to Landfill Gas Energy in the U.S.

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Opportunities and Barriers to Landfill Gas Energy
in the U.S.

• Rachel Goldstein
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)
• Air Innovations Conference
• August 10, 2004

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Agenda

• LMOP and Landfill Gas 101
• Beneficial Uses of Landfill Gas
• The Big Picture
• Overcoming Barriers

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EPAs Landfill Methane Outreach Program

• Established in 1994
• Voluntary program that creates alliances among
  states, energy users/providers, the landfill gas
  industry, and communities
• Mission To reduce methane emissions by lowering
  barriers and promoting the development of
  cost-effective and environmentally beneficial
  landfill gas energy (LFGE) projects.

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Why Does EPA Care About LFG?

• Methane is a potent heat-trapping gas.
• Landfills are the largest human-made source of
  methane in the US.
• There are many cost effective options for
  reducing methane emissions while generating
  energy.
• Projects reduce local air pollution, create jobs,
  revenues, and cost savings.

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Landfill Gas 101

• Landfill gas (LFG) is a by-product of the
  decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW).
• LFG
• 50 methane (CH4).
• 50 carbon dioxide (CO2).
• lt1 non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs).
• For every 1 million tons of MSW
• 1.0 MW of electricity
• 550,000 cubic feet per day of landfill gas.
• If uncontrolled, LFG contributes to smog and
  global warming, and may cause health and safety
  concerns.

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The Big Picture

• Projects do more than generate NOx and CO
• Methane reductions
• NMOC reductions
• Avoided emissions
• LFGE projects can be cleaner than traditional
  fossil fuel projects
• The result an environmentally beneficial
  project

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LFGE Projects Provide Dual Environmental Benefits

• Destroys methane and other organic compounds in
  LFG
• Each 1 MW of generation planting 12,000 acres
  of trees per year, removing the emissions of
  8,800 cars per year, or preventing the use of
  93,000 barrels of oil per year
• Offsets use of nonrenewable resources (coal, oil,
  gas) reducing emissions of
• SO2, NOx, PM, and CO2
• LFGE is a recognized renewable energy resource
  (Green-e, EPA Green Power Partnership).
• LFG is generated 24/7 and available over 90 of
  the time.

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LFG Energy Emission Reduction Benefits (lbs/MWh)
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Barriers to LFGE Projects

• Cost
• Permitting
• Lack of collection system
• Financing
• Contract disputes
• Gas rights
• Time delays

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Overcoming Barriers

• Remember the big picture and consider.
• Consider setting aside offsets for LFGE projects
  because they are essential public services
• Take the decline of LFG generation into account
  when determining the number of offsets needed

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Overcoming Barriers

• Explore inter-pollutant trading where permitting
  authority has not taken the VOC reductions into
  account
• Allowing the LFGE project to claim reductions
  from the displaced utility emissions
• Inclusion in SIP plans as per new SIP renewable
  guidance released this week

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LMOP Partner Tools and Services

• Partnerships and networking (over 365)
• Newsletter and listserv
• Direct Project Assistance
• Feasibility studies, end user searches
• Technical Assistance Resource
• LFG Advocate
• PR/Ribbon Cuttings

GM and Toro Energy Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony May
2002
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LMOP Partner Recruitment Tools and Services

• Project and Candidate Database
• Green Pricing Accreditation Involvement
• State Workshops/Conferences
• working with state partners and SWANA
• Peer Matching
• Web Site (e.g., publications, database)
• Annual LMOP Conference, Project Expo, and
  Partner Awards - Washington, DC

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For More Information

• www.epa.gov/lmop - LMOP Hotline [phone]
• Brian Guzzone, guzzone.brian_at_epa.gov,
  202-343-9248
• Rachel Goldstein, goldstein.rachel_at_epa.gov,
  202-343-9391
• Chris Voell, voell.christopher_at_epa.gov,
  202-343-9406