&EPA
United States     EPA 430-F-97-046
Environmental Protection  February 2006
Agency	

Air and Radiation (6207J)
   LANDFILL GAS:
     CREATING
  GREEN ENERGY
IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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The Power of Your Landfill
   Did you know that your community's
   landfill can be a valuable source of
energy? The gas emitted from your local
landfill is a reliable and renewable fuel
option. Unfortunately, if the landfill gas is
not collected and converted to energy, this
potential community resource will just go
to waste!


What  Is Landfill  Gas?
   ost of the waste we generate ends up
      landfills, where it decomposes and
produces landfill gas. Landfill gas released
into the air smells bad and contributes
to local smog. Additionally, landfill gas is
about 50 percent methane, a potent green-
house gas that contributes to global climate
change. But there is a way to address these
local and global environmental problems.


Good  News for Your

Community

  nstead of allowing landfill gas to escape
  into the air, your community can capture,
convert, and use it as a local energy source.
Landfill gas is the only renewable energy
source that, when used, actually removes
pollution from the air. In addition to these
environmental benefits, using landfill gas is
cost-effective and generates economic
opportunities for your community. Read on
to find out how.

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     ommunities across the
     United States are energized
     by landfill gas energy projects:
ff  Working on a landfill gas-to-energy
 project with the students and members of
 the Pattonville school district is not only a
 great partnership, it is our way of giving
 something back to the community.  -
                           Mark Ramsey
               Landfill Operations Manager
                       Fred Weber Landfill

(|f Our community is committed to creating
 a healthy environment for its citizens. Using
 landfill gas will help us meet our goals of
 reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
 Besides, why would anybody waste such a
 valuable resource?
                            Ron Ballard
  Facilities Design & Management Administrator
                           City of Tucson

    Landfill gas must be burned someplace
 and we have big energy demands. The
 marriage of the two requirements is
 win-win for everyone - UCLA meets
 20  privnii of its energj needs, and  Wesl
    Angeles gets cleaner air. I
                             Doug Hisey
                  Energy Facility Manager
                                 UCLA

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c
ommunities that turn their landfill gas into energy are enjoying these benefits:
    Economic:

      Fuel cost savings
      Reduced operating expenses
      Job creation related to project
      Improved economic development near
      the landfill

    Environmental:

      Improved local air quality
      Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
                                       Community:
                                          Enhanced image as an innovative
                                          community
                                          Responsible community planning
                                          A safer landfill and reduced odors
                                       Energy:
                                          A reliable local fuel source
                                          Less need for polluting fossil fuels
                 There are many ways to convert landfill gas into energy,
          ^f                                                          T
          F „,  Which will help your community realize its power potential?
            
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Commonly Aske
Questions
Have other communi
landfill gas energy
Yes! More than 380 landfills across the United
States are putting their landfill gas to good use.
Contact your local landfill, government, or the
EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program
(LMOP) to see what you can do to encourage
project development in your community.

What  is LMOP?
LMOP is a voluntary EPA program that helps
communities develop cost-effective landfill
gas energy projects. In addition to working at
the community level, LMOP partners with
utilities, states, the landfill gas industry,
tribes, and trade associations to promote the
use of landfill gas.

How can LMOP help my
community?

LMOP offers the following products and
services, free of charge:
   Technical information and software to
   assess project options and economics
   Assistance locating energy customers,
   project partners, and financial support
 j  A network of experts from the landfill gas
   industry and local communities that are
   available to provide advice on developing
   landfill gas projects

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   How Do I Learn More?

     To find out more about developing
      landfill gas energy projects in your
      community and how EPA's
  Landfill Methane Outreach Program
         can help, contact us:
              By Mail:
              U.S. EPA
       Climate Change Division
  1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (6207J)
        Washington, DC 20460
Attn: Landfill Methane Outreach Program
             By Phone:

      Toll-free at 1-888-STARYES
             Online at:

       http://www.epa.gov/lmop
          LANDFILL METHANE
          OUTREACH PROGRAM

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vvEPA
    United States
    Environmental Protection Agency
    Climate Change Division
    1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (6207J)
    Washington, DC 20460	
    OFFICIAL BUSINESS
    PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300
   LANDFILL METHANE
   OUTREACH PROGRAM
  ^PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
FIRST CLASS MAIL
  POSTAGE PAID
   FEES PAID
      EPA
      G-35

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