GM Increasing Landfill Gas Use at Two Plants

General Motors Co. (GM) is investing in equipment to increase its landfill gas use at two of its assembly plants.

The Detroit-based GM said in a news release it is spending $24 million for electrical generation equipment for more landfill gas use at its Fort Wayne, Ind., and Orion, Mich., facilities.

GM said the new equipment will allow the auto maker to generate more than 14 megawatts of electricity from landfill gas, which will allow the company to avoid 89,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide generation per year. GM also will save a combined $10 million in energy costs annually at the facilities.

The investment involves powerhouse construction at each plant, as well as generation equipment. Construction on both projects has begun, and GM expects them both to be operational by next May.

The Orion facility has used landfill gas since 1999. When this project is complete, 54 percent of its energy will come from landfill gas.

The Fort Wayne unit has used landfill gas since 2002. This investment will increase its landfill gas use fourfold, to 40 percent.

“With this project in place, we are converting landfill gas into our own electricity, which, in essence, allows us to act as our own utility,” said Bill Mortimer, GM co-generation project manager.