&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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