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Southern California Landfill Recognized for Transforming Waste into a Green Community Asset

Release Date: 01/31/2013
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Olinda Alpha Landfill for generating renewable energy from a local source while protecting the climate, providing energy savings and strengthening the economy.

Located in Brea, Calif., Olinda Alpha Landfill is home to the second largest landfill gas energy project in the U.S. The project was developed through a collaboration among local, regional, and federal governments, as well as the private sector firms Broadrock Renewables and DCO Energy. This 37.5 megawatt combined cycle project has created more than 400 jobs and generates $2.75 million in annual revenue for Orange County, the landfill owner.

In total, eight landfill methane utilization projects and partners from across the U.S. will be recognized at the 16th Annual Landfill Methane Outreach Program Conference in Baltimore, Md. on January 30, 2013.

This year's eight winning projects and partners will avoid the emissions equal to the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from more than 52,000 passenger vehicles. The seven electricity-generating projects total approximately 50 megawatts of generation capacity, and the direct-use project uses 50 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas.

The remaining seven awardees include: Gundersen Health System and La Crosse County Landfill Combined Heat and Power Project (Wis.), Landfill Energy Systems (Mich.), Lycoming County Landfill Dual Cogeneration and Electricity Project (Pa.), Millersville Landfill Electricity Project (Md.), St. Landry Parish Landfill Compressed Natural Gas Project (La.), Watauga County Landfill Small Electricity Project (N.C.), and Coca-Cola and Hickory Ridge Landfill Combined Heat and Power Project (Ga.).

EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that reduces GHG emissions by supporting landfill gas energy project development. The program has assisted with more than 560 landfill gas energy projects over the past 18 years, transforming waste into a green community asset. The U.S. currently has about 600 operational landfill gas energy projects.

More information: https://www.epa.gov/lmop