December 2008
Green Power from Landfill Gas
Helping build a sustainable energy future while improving the environment
Landfill gas (LFG) energy projects have been around
since the late 1970s, providing renewable energy in the
form of electricity and alternative fuel to citizens,
businesses, and industry. In 2007 alone, more than 440
operational LFG energy projects in 42 states supplied:
• 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, and
• 78 billion cubic feet of LFG to end users.
More than 50 green pricing programs include LFG, and at least
33 states accept LFG energy in their renewable portfolio
standards or goals. LFG is a good fit for green power programs:
• LFG is a recognized renewable energy resource (e.g., by
the Green-e certification program for green power
products [www.green-e.org]; EPA's Green Power
Partnership [www.epa.gov/greenpower]).
• LFG serves as the "baseload renewable" for many green
power programs, providing online availability exceeding
90 percent.
• Landfills that can support projects are available in
most states.
• LFG energy tends to be one of the more cost-competitive
forms of renewable energy.
EPA is interested in developing LFG energy for many reasons:
• Projects help destroy methane, a potent heat-trapping gas,
and offset the use of non-renewable resources such as
coal, natural gas, and oil.
• Many cost-effective options exist for reducing methane
emissions while generating energy.
• Projects help reduce local air pollution.
• Projects create jobs, revenues, and cost savings.
The estimated annual environmental benefits associated with
projects operational in 2007 are equivalent to:
• Carbon sequestered annually by 17,500,000 acres of pine
or fir forests, or
• C02 emissions from 179,000,000 barrels of oil consumed, or
• Annual greenhouse gas emissions from 14,000,000
passenger vehicles, or
• C02 emissions from burning 400,000 railcars' worth of coal.
LFG energy projects also have a substantial impact on
economic growth and cost savings. A typical 3 megawatt
LFG electricity project is estimated to have the following
benefits to the U.S. economy (direct, indirect, and induced)
during the construction year:
• Increase output by nearly $14 million, including $3
million locally.
• Employ nearly 70 people (expressed in full-time
equivalents per year).
However, much remains to be done. It is estimated that the
current number of LFG energy projects, and the associated
environmental and economic benefits, could be more than
doubled. LFG energy-utilizing an otherwise wasted resource
to benefit the environment and the economy!
Look Who's Using LFG
Tucson
Electric
Smart. Intnl. Connected.
EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that promotes
the use of LFG as a renewable energy resource. By preventing emissions of methane-a powerful greenhouse gas-
through the development of LFG energy projects, LMOP helps businesses, states, and communities protect the
environment and build a sustainable future. For more information about LMOP, visit www.cpa.gov/lmop.
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