Date: May 21, 2009
Source: Republic Services, Inc.
Pennsylvania's Largest Landfill Gas Project Creates Green Energy
Conestoga Landfill Gas Recovery Project Largest Multiple-Customer Project in State
Officials from Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG); UGI Utilities, Inc.; and Granger today dedicated the Conestoga Landfill Gas Recovery Project, providing green energy to Lancaster County and Berks County businesses.
The partners broke ground for this landfill gas direct-use project in the spring of 2007. Now complete, the Conestoga Landfill Gas Recovery Project captures 4,000 standard cubic feet of landfill gas per minute. The project leaders hailed the achievement as a significant stride toward goals set by Governor Edward G. Rendell to lead the charge toward energy independence.
Landfill gas is transported from the Conestoga Landfill via a low-pressure gas service pipeline. The nine-mile pipeline connects with a current pipeline, making increased amounts of landfill gas available to the original customers and allowing the addition of three new customers in the New Holland area. The interconnected projects create the largest landfill gas utilization project in Pennsylvania, one of the longest landfill gas pipelines, and largest multiple-customer project in the country.
"Landfill gas projects are a win-win opportunity for all parties involved, whether they are the landfill owner/operators, the local utility, the local government, or the surrounding community," said Tim O'Donnell, Republic general manager, Conestoga Landfill." By participating in these projects, a community is being innovative and responsible with local resources, and can even enhance its image as an environmental leader."
"Landfills have long been valuable resources as safe repositories for the waste we all generate," said Keith Granger, Chief Executive Officer, Granger. "Now, landfills are an even greater resource as we tap into the energy potential of trash."
The end-use customers benefiting from the landfill gas fuel source include: Dart, advanced food products, L&S Sweeteners, New Holland Concrete, Tyson Foods, Case New Holland, and H.R. Ewell. In combination, these industries are fueling 25 boilers, four hot oil heaters, four ovens, three indirect-fired heaters, two direct-fired heaters, two remote thermal oxidizers, and two process water heaters with this renewable energy source.
The annual reduction of greenhouse gases attributable to this project is approximately the same as the annual greenhouse gas emission from nearly 86,711 passenger vehicles, the carbon dioxide emissions from more than 1,101,024 barrels of oil consumed, or the carbon sequestered by more than 107,600 acres of pine or fir forests. In addition, annual energy savings equate to powering nearly 14,000 average homes.
The naturally occurring gas in landfills, comprised of about 50 percent methane, is captured through a perforated well pipe and pipe gathering system. The gas is pulled from the landfill into the Granger facility, where it is processed and used as a fuel source piped directly to end-users.
Rachel Goldstein, Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Program; Tim O'Donnell, Republic Services, Inc.; Tony Cox, UGI Utilities, Inc.; Keith Granger, Chief Executive Officer, Granger; and Joel Zylstra, Chief Operating Officer, Granger Energy Services were on hand to celebrate the successful launch of the green energy project.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has more than 35,000 employees. For more information, visit the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com.
About UGI Utilities, Inc.
UGI Utilities' headquarters is located in Reading, Pennsylvania. UGI currently delivers natural gas to more than 478,000 customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania. The utility currently operates and maintains over 8,000 miles of pipeline. UGI is an industry leader in the safe operation of its pipelines, recently earning the prestigious American Gas Association Safety Achievement Award. Additional information about UGI is available at www.ugi.com.
About Granger
Granger, the parent company of Granger Energy of Morgantown, LLC, is a leader in the development of renewable energy projects and has been since the technology began. A third generation family-owned and operated business based in Lansing, Michigan, Granger was founded in 1959 as a commercial construction company and has evolved into a comprehensive waste management and renewable energy organization. With over 23 years of experience developing successful landfill gas recovery projects, Granger has grown into a nationwide developer, earning national recognition from leaders in the field, state agencies, and the U.S. EPA. Granger has been a landfill owner and operator for 35 years, and has successfully developed landfill gas projects in Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Additional information about Granger is available at www.grangernet.com.
Electronic photos & graphics are available upon request.
For more information, contact:
Peg Mulloy, APR
Manager of Media Relations
Republic Services, Inc.
18500 N. Allied Way
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Telephone: 480-627-2887
See also: www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20080813D.htm.
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