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EPA partners with Utah groups to bring clean energy to market

Release Date: 08/16/2006
Contact Information: Technical contact: Brian Guzzone, EPA HQ, 202-343-9248, guzzone.brian@epa.gov Media contact: Wendy Chipp, EPA Reg. 8, 303-312-6603, chipp.wendy@epa.gov

(Denver, Colo. – Aug. 16, 2006) Working through one of its premier public-private voluntary programs, EPA and a number of partners joined today to launch an innovative clean-energy project that will bring power to more than 2,500 homes in Utah.

EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has joined forces with Salt Lake City-area partners to launch the Salt Lake Valley Landfill Gas Energy Project. Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in Salt Lake City brought together officials from EPA, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Murray City, Murray City Power, DTE Biomass Energy, Landfill Energy Systems (LES), and the Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility to mark the grand opening of this ground-breaking energy project.

“Working with partners in industry as well as state and local governments, EPA is promoting the use of renewable, or green energy – while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” stated Robert E. Roberts, EPA Region 8's Regional Administrator. “Using methane gas from landfills as an energy source is one way to promote a better environment and energy security.”

DTE Biomass Energy and LES worked cooperatively with Murray City Power and Murray City to develop a project that captures landfill gas from the Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility. This summer, three reciprocating engines were installed that produce three megawatts of clean power. The project will provide enough electricity to power over 2,500 homes in Murray City.

The Salt Lake Valley Landfill Gas Energy Project is the second such project to be launched in Utah. EPA is working with its partners to identify other projects that will provide a clean and secure energy source.

LMOP is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that promotes the use of landfill gas as a renewable, clean energy source. Landfill gas is the natural by-product of the decomposition of solid waste in landfills, and is comprised primarily of carbon dioxide and methane. By preventing emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, through the development of landfill gas energy projects, LMOP helps businesses, states, energy providers, and communities protect the environment and build a sustainable future.

The program also assists countries throughout the world in developing landfill methane reduction projects through the U.S.-government led Methane to Markets Partnership.

More information about EPA’s LMOP Program is available at:
http://epa.gov/lmop

More information on the international Methane to Markets effort is at:
http://www.methanetomarkets.org