Date: October 30, 2007
Source: Covanta Holding Corporation
Covanta Begins Operating Nation's First Energy-from-Waste Unit under the EPA's New Source Performance Standards
Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA), a world leader in the development and operation of large scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects, today announced it has begun operating the first energy-from-waste unit built under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New Source Performance Standards.
The new unit expands the Lee County Resource Recovery facility, which is owned by Lee County, Florida, and allows the County to convert an additional 636 tons of municipal waste every day into an additional 18 megawatts of electricity. Prior to the $120-million expansion, the facility had processed more than 4 million tons of waste in two 600-ton per day combustion units and generated enough electricity to power 26,000 homes.
"Rising energy costs and environmental concerns underscore the logic for sustainable waste management solutions such as the Lee County Resource Recovery facility," said Anthony Orlando, President and Chief Executive Officer of Covanta. "We are excited about its increased ability to generate clean, renewable energy and add electricity to the nation's power grid. With this additional capacity, we'll be able to help keep the lights on in 36,000 homes."
Five years ago, Lee County decided to expand the facility to meet the increased waste disposal needs of its growing community. The County approved the new combustion unit, which increases the facility's capacity to convert municipal waste into renewable energy by over 50 percent.
"Lee County's Board of County Commissioners deserve credit for continuing to expand its integrated waste management system," said Lindsey Sampson, Director of Lee County's Solid Waste Division.
Working with Lee County, Covanta oversaw the expansion project. Covanta operates and maintains the facility under a long-term contract with the County. Covanta is pleased to be part of delivering environmentally sound waste disposal and clean, renewable energy for the areas 600,000 residents.
Orlando said Covanta was proud to be part of Lee County's comprehensive solid waste management plan, which includes strong recycling and composting programs.
"The Lee County Resource Recovery facility complements those efforts and has prevented close to 4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere. And it has produced enough electricity to eliminate the need to burn 1 million tons of coal or 4 million barrels of oil," said Orlando. "Those are impressive statistics and indicative of the positive role energy-from-waste facilities can play in a sustainable future."
About Covanta
Covanta Holding Corporation is an internationally recognized owner and operator of energy-from-waste and power generation projects. Covanta's energy-from-waste facilities convert municipal solid waste into renewable energy for numerous communities, predominantly in the United States. As a world premier operator of large-scale energy-from-waste facilities, Covanta is proud to offer an environmentally sound solution to communities' solid waste disposal needs. With more than 30 facilities worldwide, Covanta uses municipal solid waste as a fuel to generate clean, renewable energy. Covanta's modern energy-from-waste facilities safely and securely turn 15 million tons of waste into more than 8 million megawatt hours of clean renewable electricity each year and create 10 billion pounds of steam that are sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaholding.com.
For more information, contact:
Derek Porter
Director, Corporate Communications
Covanta Holding Corporation
703-236-2817
dporter@covantaenergy.com.
or
Vera Carley, 973-882-2439
Media Relations Manager
vcarley@covantaenergy.com.
Sign up to receive our free Weekly News Bulletin