A landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) plant at Republic Services' Ox Mountain Landfill in Half Moon Bay, Calif., has begun operations. Owned and operated by a subsidiary of Ameresco Inc., the plant will provide enough energy to residents in nearby Alameda and Palo Alto to power approximately 12,000 homes.

The landfill has been operating since 1976 and is slated to accept trash for another 35 years.

“The Ox Mountain Landfill gas to energy project reduces carbon emissions by making electricity out of a resource that was previously just wasted,” said George Sakellaris, president of Ameresco, in a press release. “It’s an ideal green energy solution.”

“The commissioning of this significant renewable energy resource for the people of California is another example of Republic’s commitment to the environment,” added Jeff Andrews, senior vice president west region for Republic, in the press release. “This is a larger plant in terms of renewable electricity production from landfill gas, and also represents the current best available technology for emissions controls, making it an extremely clean renewable energy source.”

For information on how to develop LFGTE projects, read "Light It Up" from Waste Age's February 2009 issue.