Waste Catches Spark in Two Power Plans

Leslie Harrison

LaGrange, Ga.--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the city of LaGrange and Interface Flooring Systems, Atlanta, have formed a partnership to convert naturally occurring methane gas from garbage into fuel. The fuel generated from the landfill is expected to be enough to fuel two heaters and one boiler at Interface’s Kyle plant in LaGrange. Sources estimate a 20 percent reduction in natural gas consumption but say the offset of greenhouse gases is more substantial.

Similarly, in Boone County, Ky., Bavarian Waste Services has nearly completed a $1.5 million plant designed to turn methane gas from decomposing garbage into electricity. The ‘envirowatt power’ is estimated to be able to provide power to 4,000 homes per day.