Sunshine Gas Starts Landfill Gas to Energy Unit in California

Sunshine Gas Producers has begun generating electricity from landfill gas at a newly constructed facility in Sylmar, Calif.

Sunshine, the joint venture between Ann Arbor, Mich.-based DTE Biomass Energy and Novi, Mich.-based EIF Renewable Energy Holdings, built the facility at the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar, owned and operated by Phoenix-based Republic Services Inc., according to a news release.

DTE Biomass Energy, which developed and operates the project, said commercial operation has begun of a 20-megawatt facility at the landfill. Landfill gas generated at the site will be converted into electricity and sold to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under a long-term power purchase agreement.

The power plant, which includes five turbine generators and four employees, is capable of generating enough renewable electricity to power nearly 25,000 California homes.

"This is the successful result of more than 10 years of effort, which has been made possible by strong partnerships with Republic Services, PG&E and Landfill Energy Systems (an EIF unit)," said Mark Cousino, DTE Biomass Energy president.

The new facility also helps California fulfill its 33-percent renewable energy goal.