Partners Recognized for Landfill Gas Energy Achievements

LMOP’s Partner and Project of the Year Awards Program has recognized select Partners and landfill gas (LFG) energy projects for excellence in innovation and creativity, success in promoting renewable energy development, and achievement of environmental and economic benefits. These organizations and projects contributed to job creation and provided renewable energy for the communities they serve. Information about the award winners from years 2005 through 2014 is available below. Information provided about award winners was accurate at the time of award and is no longer updated, but stakeholders may find this historical information useful. 

2014 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On March 19, 2015, Partners accepted the following awards at the LMOP National Landfill Gas Energy Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2014 Projects of the Year

Seneca Energy II Renewable Natural Gas Facility – Waterloo, New York

Developed by LMOP Partner Innovative Energy Systems (now operating as Aria Energy), this project involves processing approximately 3,000 cubic feet per minute of LFG from the Seneca Meadows Landfill into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The RNG is transported through an existing natural gas pipeline to make electricity, used in fuel cells to produce electricity for onsite consumption, or compressed for use in natural gas vehicles. In addition to the newly established RNG Facility, an existing LFG electricity project is producing 17.6 megawatts (MW) of power using 18 reciprocating engines from LMOP Partner Caterpillar, Inc.

Sand Valley Landfill Gas to Electric Plant – Collinsville, Alabama

The Sand Valley LFG to Electric Plant generates 4.8 MW of power using three Caterpillar reciprocating engines making it the largest LFG electricity project in Alabama. Developed by LMOP Partner Energy Developments, Inc., the facility produces electricity for approximately 3,000 homes in DeKalb County. The project overcame a number of barriers to implementation, including the remote location of the project which required the installation of a 9-mile feeder line connecting the power project to the nearest sub-station.

2014 Community Partner of the Year

Hancock County – Findlay, Ohio

Hancock County owns and operates the Hancock County Sanitary Landfill serving the surrounding community. The County partnered with LMOP Partner Granger Energy Services, as well as Buckeye Power and Hancock Woods Cooperative, to bring online a 3.2-MW LFG electricity project. The County’s foresight in finding a beneficial use option for LFG resulted in a new revenue stream from the sale of LFG. This benefit, along with improved local air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrates the importance of public/private partnerships to improve public health and the environment.

2013 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 22, 2014, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP’s 17th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2013 Projects of the Year

LMOP was pleased to recognize two projects that create renewable energy from a local source while also protecting the climate and strengthening the economy. Together, these projects will avoid the emissions of 276,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which is the equivalent of the carbon sequestered annually by more than 200,000 acres of U.S. forests or the carbon dioxide emissions from more than 600,000 barrels of oil consumed.

Blue Ridge Renewable Energy Plant, Pennsylvania

A true private/public partnership, LFG supplier IESI Blue Ridge Landfill, power purchaser Borough of Chambersburg, and project developer PPL Renewable Energy (PPLRE) worked closely together to bring this 6.4-megawatt (MW) LFG electricity project online after only seven months of construction. In addition to designing, constructing, owning, and operating the LFG electricity plant at the landfill, PPLRE designed, permitted, and built the dedicated, 4-mile Express Generator Feeder (EGF) from the plant to the Borough’s Cree substation. The Borough obtained easements for the EGF, assumed ownership of the line upon project completion, and will maintain it. The EGF traversed several obstacles, including a shopping mall, a high-voltage power line, an interstate, wetlands, a stream, a housing subdivision, and a farmer’s fields, and was also structured to minimize impacts on birds. Successful completion of this project was particularly satisfying and is an example of determination in overcoming the odds, as interconnection-related issues had thwarted other developers for years. Coming full circle, waste that Borough residents and businesses deposited in the landfill now supplies about 15 percent of its 11,000 customers’ electric needs, plus the Borough was able to decrease the price of electricity those customers pay. In addition, the project generates 50,000 renewable energy credits (RECs) annually toward meeting the state RPS goal.

Seminole Road Landfill Renewable Fuels Facility, Georgia

With an LFG electricity project thriving for several years, DeKalb County wanted to find a creative outlet for its excess LFG. Given air permitting limitations for engines and a desire to save money and reduce emissions from county vehicles, self-developing a renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable compressed natural gas (RCNG) project was the way to go. In 2010, the county received about $7 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to build its Renewable Fuels Facility (RFF) and to purchase about 40 new CNG-fueled waste collection trucks. In the RFF, contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide, siloxanes, VOCs, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen are removed from approximately 550 standard cubic feet per minute of LFG to create RNG. Some of the RNG is delivered into the nearby Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) pipeline, while the rest is dried and compressed to become RCNG, which is then dispensed to county vehicles and the public at the onsite fueling station. The county, surrounding community, and environment benefit from the RCNG station, as it offers a fuel price lower than diesel or gasoline and will offset the use of 15 million gallons of these fossil fuels each year. Large windows in the RFF building allow convenient and safe viewing of the operations for a range of visitors from local students to international technical delegates.

2013 Community Partner of the Year

Gaston County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, North Carolina

Forward-thinking Gaston County identified three primary sustainability goals in 2008 related to its waste management practices: reduce landfill emissions, produce renewable energy, and provide infrastructure for a new Eco-Industrial Park. With a voluntary gas collection system installed, a self-developed LFG electricity project (2.8-MW) in operation, and the Park’s grading and utility hook-ups in place, the county is well on its way to realizing all of its main objectives. The Renewable Energy Center was designed to accommodate additional LFG engines in the future, and also has a solar panel array on its roof for bonus renewable electricity to offset the building’s parasitic load. Several local, state, and federal officials have toured the Center to learn about LFG energy, and county staff visit schools to educate students about a range of waste-related topics including a hands-on landfill model. The Park was designed to interconnect with the Center, and the county plans to make excess LFG as well as waste heat from the LFG electricity project available to future Park tenants. The Park is intended as a location for “green” businesses to grow and thrive, and potential tenants include a biodiesel facility and a food-waste anaerobic digester.

2012 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 30, 2013, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 16th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2012 Projects of the Year

LMOP was pleased to recognize seven projects that generate renewable energy from a local source while also protecting the climate and strengthening the economy. These projects will avoid the emissions of 269,770 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which is the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 52,900 passenger vehicles or the carbon dioxide emissions from more than 627,000 barrels of oil consumed. The electricity-generating projects total approximately 50 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity, and the direct-use project utilizes 50 standard cubic feet per minute of LFG.

Anne Arundel County's Millersville Landfill Electricity Project, Maryland

After more than 12 years of exploring options and negotiating agreements only to come to a dead end every time, Anne Arundel County's persistence paid off with a 3.2-MW LFG electricity project brought to fruition by a team of numerous government agencies and private companies. Independent state agency Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority contributed oversight and management for design, engineering and construction of the project while Landfill Energy Systems built, operates and maintains it. The first LFG energy project located in the county, it generates green power for the local grid while providing revenue for county-wide energy efficiency and solid waste projects. A combination of local bond sales and $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, and cooperation among local, state, and federal government determined this project's success.

Hickory Ridge Landfill and Coca-Cola CCHP Project, Georgia

Constructing a 6-mile, dedicated LFG pipeline, permitting three engines in a severe ozone non-attainment area, and meeting a deadline to receive a U.S. Treasury Section 1603 grant did not deter Mas Energy from developing a unique project that provides Coca-Cola's Atlanta Syrup Branch facility with a continuous supply of renewable electricity, steam, and chilled water. This combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) project will annually generate at least 48 million kilowatt-hours of onsite green power and provide nearly all of the plant's energy needs, providing Coca-Cola real energy savings. Coca-Cola's corporate strategy to advance the use of alternative energy and grow its business sustainably through economically and environmentally beneficial ventures led to the development of this award-winning project.

La Crosse County Landfill and Gundersen Health System CHP Project, Wisconsin

Its Onalaska Campus is 100-percent energy independent and Gundersen Health System is well on its way to meeting its 2014 total energy independence goal thanks to a public/private partnership with La Crosse County. A 2-mile pipeline brings LFG under Interstate 90 from the county landfill to create green power for the local grid and heat both buildings and water on the health system's campus. This combined heat and power (CHP) project serves as an excellent example of cost savings combined with environmental stewardship for other health systems nationwide that struggle with rising energy costs. The county benefits from a new revenue stream and its landfill is the first in the state to receive "Green Tier" status from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Lycoming County Landfill Dual Cogeneration and Electricity Project, Pennsylvania

Creative permit and power purchase agreement structuring contributed to the success of this project. Eighty percent of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (FBOP) Allenwood Correctional Complex's electricity is supplied and 90 percent of the power and thermal needs of the Lycoming County Landfill complex are met through the combustion of LFG in four internal combustion engines (6.2 MW total). The FBOP gains long-term power price stability and clean energy (toward meeting federal renewable energy requirements), and the county receives funding for updating its gas collection system and revenue for the LFG without having to pay anything since PPL Renewable Energy developed, owns, and operates the project.

Orange County's Olinda Alpha Landfill Combined Cycle Project, California

Employing creative financing and innovative emission controls, Broadrock Renewables, DCO Energy, and Orange County implemented the second-largest LFG-fueled power plant (32.5-MW) in the country. Financing included a $10 million ARRA grant from the Department of Energy and a Section 1603 grant from the U.S. Treasury. Pre-treatment of LFG includes a two-stage siloxane removal system while NO_X is controlled via an innovative post-combustion selective catalytic reduction (SCR) process. Positive impacts on the local, regional, and national economy stem from local green power usage by the City of Anaheim, annual county LFG revenues of $2.75 million, and manufacture of all major equipment components in the United States (including the four gas turbines which were built only 100 miles away from the power plant). The project's combined cycle process is more efficient than a standard gas turbine project with a 45 percent gross electrical efficiency, and the plant's wastewater is used to control dust at the landfill in place of potable water supplies.

St. Landry Parish Landfill CNG Project, Louisiana

Converting just 50 cubic feet per minute of LFG into 250 gallons of gasoline equivalent per day of compressed natural gas (CNG), St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Disposal District found a cleaner, greener way of destroying methane and fueling government vehicles including District cars and trucks, and vans and cars at the Sheriff's office. To save on costs, the District self-developed the project with help from several contracting companies to site the project, overcome permitting hurdles, obtain grant funding, construct the clean-up, compression, storage, and fueling facility, and modify vehicles for CNG use. The end results are significant air quality benefits, unique environmental education opportunities for the local community, and an invitation to discuss their success story during a trade mission to France.

Watauga County Landfill Small Electricity Project, North Carolina

Watauga County's 186-kilowatt (kW) model project gives hope to landfill owners of other small, closed landfills across the country and world that beneficial, cost-effective electricity generation from a small amount of LFG is not only achievable, but can provide benefits far beyond the local community. By self-developing the project — with assistance from local businesses and the Appalachian State University (ASU) Energy Center — and creatively using modified automotive engines, the county was able to keep costs low enough to make the project financially viable. Employing a technology previously used only to destroy methane from coal mine gas, this first instance of an LFG-fired application has led to four additional planned projects in the state through the ASU Energy Center's CommunityTIES project. Not only does the project provide one-of-a-kind research opportunities for ASU students and faculty, but it will also turn an annual profit of $72,000 and reduce the landfill's electricity bill by 80 percent.

2012 Industry Partner of the Year

Landfill Energy Systems, Michigan

Landfill Energy Systems (LES) operates and maintains 38 LFG energy projects across the country, including electrical generation, direct-use, and high-Btu facilities. In 2012, LES added two independently owned facilities to its operational fleet, including the LMOP Award-winning 3.2-MW project at Anne Arundel County's Millersville Landfill in Maryland. Formed in 1986, LES is one of the LFG industry's oldest and largest privately owned developers of LFG energy projects. Since 1987, LES has developed 49 projects in 18 states, processing more than 141 million cubic feet of LFG per day, generating 1.46 million British thermal units (Btu) of renewable natural gas and 2 million MWh of renewable electricity per year. LES has built plants under strict air permitting regulations from New Jersey to southern California, and has worked with both public and private landfill owners and 25 utilities.

2011 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 18, 2012, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 15th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2011 Projects of the Year

LMOP was pleased to recognize three projects that creatively use landfill gas (LFG) in a range of applications and capacities. These projects overcame barriers and applied innovative technologies to create a new source of renewable energy to benefit local communities.

Dane County BioCNG™ Vehicle Fueling Project, Wisconsin

Dane County was successfully generating electricity from methane at its Rodefeld Landfill when it decided to find a way to use flared excess LFG to cost-effectively produce compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fuel. The County identified Cornerstone's patent-pending BioCNG™ system as the solution to creating a useable quantity of CNG to fuel trucks used by the County's parks and public works departments. The system currently produces 100 gallons of gasoline equivalent (GGE) per day from only 20 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of LFG and is being upgraded to produce 250 GGE/day. The County owns three CNG vehicles, has ordered another 20 CNG cars and trucks, and plans to purchase more vehicles in 2012. The following LMOP Partners were involved: Community Partner Dane County Solid Waste Department, Industry Partners Cornerstone Environmental Group and Unison Solutions, and Energy Partner Alliant Energy.

Golden Triangle Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Power Generation Project, Mississippi

For several years, Golden Triangle staff researched LFG energy project possibilities. Challenges that kept a project from moving forward included the site's remote location and subsequent lack of nearby potential end users, as well as prohibitive expected installation costs for an electric project. However, in March 2010, Golden Triangle learned that Tennessee Valley Authority's Generation Partners program would pay a premium for green power, and the rest is history. The project was accepted into the program in October 2010, and the first LFG electricity project in Mississippi was online less than one year later, generating just under 1 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy. The following LMOP Partners were involved: Community Partner Golden Triangle Regional Solid Waste Management Authority, Energy Partner Tennessee Valley Authority, and Industry Partners GE Energy–Jenbacher Gas Engines; LFG Specialties; Neel-Schaffer; Riley, Park, Hayden & Associates; and SCS Field Services.

Lime Energy Landfill Gas Energy Plant, Zemel Road Landfill, Charlotte County, Florida

To ensure this project's economic viability, developer Lime Energy found creative ways to cut capital and operations costs and also supplement revenue by selling engine waste heat to convert sludge into a commercial product. Project partners overcame the challenge of high LFG hydrogen sulfide levels by implementing an innovative, cost-efficient BioGasclean system, the first U.S. LFG application of this technology. The team also worked diligently with Florida Power & Light to devise an alternative route to connect to the grid that both avoided a protected wildlife area and reduced the construction schedule by more than six months. In October 2011, the project began generating 2.8 MW via two GE–Jenbacher engines that are able to meet stringent carbon monoxide emission requirements. The following LMOP Partners were involved: Industry Partners Lime Energy Asset Development and GE Energy–Jenbacher Gas Engines and Energy Partner Orlando Utilities Commission.

2011 Industry Partners of the Year

LMOP was pleased to recognize two Industry Partners who have developed numerous LFG energy projects, refined their development procedures to meet changing times, and promoted the environmental and economic benefits of LFG energy.

​Enerdyne Power Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1991, Enerdyne has been active for more than 20 years in the LFG industry. Recently, instead of building projects with the intention of selling, Enerdyne began building projects that will spend their lifetimes under the company umbrella. Enerdyne internalizes project development as much as possible, leading to reduced costs, fewer delays, and complete control over projects that require extensive planning and maintenance. As of August 2011, Enerdyne operates five power generation, three direct-use, and three flare-only (with potential to recover energy) projects that span eight states, generating nearly 8 MW and combusting approximately 3,000 scfm LFG. In order to promote the beneficial environmental impact of LFG energy projects, Enerdyne held three ribbon-cutting ceremonies in 2011 for sites in Tennessee and Oklahoma.

WM Renewable Energy

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) has been a leader in the LFG energy industry since 1987. In 2003, WM formed WM Renewable Energy (WMRE) to further focus the company's LFG energy efforts and to bring facility ownership in-house. WMRE has 32 employees with expertise in energy marketing, renewable energy markets, plant design and construction, plant operations, and business management. In 2011, WMRE commissioned six new and two expansion LFG energy facilities with installed capacity of nearly 25 MW, and is constructing seven additional facilities with 38.4 MW of capacity. WM currently supplies LFG to 132 beneficial-use projects in 29 states and two Canadian provinces.

2011 Community Partner of the Year

Decatur-Morgan County Landfill, Alabama

Morgan County and the City of Decatur were willing to try new, creative ideas to overcome issues they had faced with a direct-use project in order to achieve a viable LFG energy project. Therefore, the landfill was excited to learn from developer Granger Energy that Tennessee Valley Authority was offering a premium for green power through its Generation Partners program. They decided to take advantage of this opportunity, so Granger brought online one Caterpillar 3516 engine in June 2010 and the City brought a second identical engine on board in July 2011 for a combined capacity of 1.6 MW. Waste heat from the second engine will provide winter heating for the City's newly constructed recycling center. The following LMOP Partners were involved: Community Partner Morgan County Regional Landfill (Morgan County-owner and City of Decatur-operator), Energy Partner Tennessee Valley Authority, and Industry Partners Granger Energy and Caterpillar.

2010 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 19, 2011, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 14th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2010 Projects of the Year

For 2010, LMOP is pleased to recognize five projects that creatively use landfill gas (LFG) in a range of applications and capacities. These projects overcame barriers, created jobs, and applied innovative technology, creating a new source of renewable energy to benefit the local community.

Frederick County Electricity Project, Winchester, Virginia

With no suitable potential direct users of LFG nearby, the County developed this two-engine project to generate approximately 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity to support the local power grid without needing to build additional transmission lines.

Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority Small Engine Project, Christiansburg, Virginia

Proving once again that a closed landfill with a small amount of LFG available can provide a big service to the community, this 340-kilowatt electricity project was developed with cost-savings, local resources, and green education in mind.

Newton County Renewable Energy Business Park LFG Direct-Use Project, Brook, Indiana

Urban Forest Recyclers, the first tenant in a brand new Renewable Energy Park that was purposefully located near the local landfill, relies solely on LFG to dry the egg cartons it manufacturers from recycled materials.

Crow Wing County Small Onsite LFG Boiler Project, Brainerd, Minnesota

An innovative in-floor heating system for a maintenance building is fueled by only 30 standard cubic feet per minute of LFG, reducing natural gas usage by 70 percent and resulting in an expected savings of $5,000 per winter.

Hoffman Road LFG and Bay View WWTP Digester Gas 10-MW Project, Toledo, Ohio

LFG and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) digester gas combine for an electric capacity of 10 MW in this unique project that employs a combustion turbine, a steam turbine, and a heat recovery steam generator.

2010 Community Partner of the Year

Escambia County, Pensacola, Florida

Escambia County brought together a diverse technical team and federal grant funding to develop a replacement project at its Perdido Landfill. Gulf Power purchases the initial 3.2 MW for its residential and commercial customers, and the project was designed for future expansion to 6.4 MW.

2009 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 12, 2010, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 13th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2009 Projects of the Year

For 2009, LMOP is pleased to recognize six projects that creatively use landfill gas (LFG) in four types of renewable energy projects: high-Btu, cogeneration, electricity, and direct-use. These projects employed unique project structures, created jobs, and applied advanced technology, creating a new source of renewable energy to benefit the local community.

University of New Hampshire EcoLine™ Project, Rochester, New Hampshire

A diverse team developed EcoLine™, an integrated system that cleans and burns LFG in a cogeneration plant. The plant provides up to 85 percent of the five million square-foot campus' electricity and heating needs.

Jefferson City Renewable Energy Project, Jefferson City, Missouri

Project developer Ameresco changed the originally planned location of the 3.2-megawatt (MW) LFG electricity project to enable the capture of waste heat. The cogeneration project earned White House recognition for creating an estimated 80 jobs and expanding renewable energy for the nation.

Altamont Landfill Resource and Recovery Facility, Livermore, California

Following nearly 10 years of research and development, a high-tech high-Btu fuel plant converts LFG into liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will fuel 300 garbage trucks.

Ox Mountain 11.4 Megawatt Landfill Gas Energy Project, Half Moon Bay, California

At 11.4 MW, one of the largest LFG electricity projects in the country helps two municipal utilities meet renewable energy goals and powers as many as 10,000 homes in the cities of Palo Alto and Alameda.

Sioux Falls Landfill and POET Ethanol Direct Use Project, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The city captures, cleans, and pipes LFG for energy utilization at an ethanol plant, where LFG initially displaces about 10 percent of the plant's natural gas consumption in a wood waste-fuel boiler.

Oak Grove Landfill Renewable Methane Project, Winder, Georgia

For a high-Btu project that produces enough gas to heat more than 8,000 homes, a public/private partnership overcame barriers and applied innovative technologies that could lead to application at other high-Btu projects.

2009 State Partner of the Year

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Topeka, Kansas

Through extensive outreach and networking, KDHE's Solid Waste Program (formerly Bureau of Waste Management) successfully fueled interest in LFG utilization for energy in Kansas and beyond.

2009 Community Partner of the Year

South Kent Generating Station, Byron Center, Michigan

Kent County demonstrated its strong desire to serve the community and implement a long-term LFG energy strategy when it was approached by Granger to generate electricity using LFG from the South Kent Landfill.

2008 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 13, 2009, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 12th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2008 Projects of the Year

For 2008, LMOP is pleased to recognize landfill gas (LFG) energy projects that employed unique project structures and took creative approaches to utilize LFG from municipal solid waste landfills. This year's award winners demonstrate innovation, persistence, and leadership in developing LFG energy projects that help meet renewable energy goals and benefit the local and global community.

Granger, Conestoga Landfill Gas Utilization Project, Morgantown, Pennsylvania

Granger Energy of Morgantown, LLC, assembled multiple parties and overcame barriers to create one of the largest multi-user projects in the country.

SWACO Green Energy Center, Landfill Gas Energy Project, Grove City, Ohio

The Green Energy Center converts LFG to electricity for onsite use and is expected to produce enough compressed natural gas for vehicles to replace nearly 250,000 gallons of gasoline each year.

Greenville Gas Producers, LLC, and Greenville County, Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville Gas Producers went the extra mile to sell their renewable energy. They built a new power line across a river, two natural gas distribution lines, another power line, three major roads, and numerous private landowners' properties.

2008 Community Partner of the Year

Seward County, Liberal, Kansas

Mixing methane turned out to be a great idea in Seward County, where beef, belt buckles, and good old-fashioned persistence are the norm. Since early options proved unviable, Seward County pipes LFG to wastewater lagoons at a large energy user next door.

2008 Industry Partner of the Year

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Rutland, Vermont

Casella overcame numerous regulatory and legal challenges to complete four renewable energy projects in 2008. Casella and its partners now produce roughly 25 megawatts per hour of clean energy at five of the company's landfills, with plans for more in 2009.

2008 Energy Provider Partner of the Year

Lansing Board of Water & Light, Lansing, Michigan

Actively pursuing renewable energy helped the Board meet its own renewable energy goals and spurred the development of two other LFG energy projects.

2008 Energy End User Partner of the Year

MARS Snackfood US, Waco, Texas

MARS overcame concerns about using LFG, then educated and promoted LFG usage to the community, its suppliers, and customers.

2007 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 9, 2008, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 11th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Washington, D.C.

2007 Projects of the Year

For 2007, LMOP is pleased to recognize landfill gas (LFG) energy projects that took innovative approaches to utilize LFG from municipal solid waste landfills, deliver environmental and economic benefits directly to the community, and promote LFG energy projects locally or nationally. This year's award winners demonstrate creativity, persistence, and leadership in developing LFG energy projects that benefit the local and global community.

Greentree High Btu Landfill Gas Energy Project, Kersey, Pennsylvania

Project developers used creative financing and applied innovative, state-of-the-art technology to create one of the largest natural gas-quality LFG energy projects in the country.

Iris Glen Landfill Gas Energy Project, Johnson City, Tennessee

Natural gas-quality LFG energy projects are usually limited to landfills with large amounts of gas, but not in Johnson City. There, an engine and boiler use natural gas-quality LFG to supply steam, electricity, and chilled water to a Veterans Administration hospital, a university, and a civic center.

Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority (SECCRA) Landfill Gas Energy Project, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Relying on its talented staff and their motivation to succeed, SECCRA Power forged ahead and developed this LFG energy project without the assistance of a third-party developer. SECCRA and the community reaped economic benefits that exceeded expectations.

2007 Community Partner of the Year

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority (GLRA) and PPL Energy Landfill Gas Energy Project, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

GLRA and PPL created and built a renewable energy education facility that serves as an educational forum for local, national, and international visitors. With the goal of "empowering our future leaders with green energy," the project demonstrates the power of renewable energy from LFG, wind, and solar energy.

2007 Industry Partner of the Year

Ameresco, Framingham, Massachusetts

Ameresco continues to show leadership by consistently developing innovative and flexible LFG energy projects. Three new projects in 2007, including a small, creative, 800-kilowatt project, demonstrate Ameresco's ability to provide long-term solutions to landfills and the communities they serve.

2007 Energy Partners of the Year

Alameda Power & Telecom and City of Palo Alto, Watsonville, California

Two community-based utilities actively pursued LFG opportunities in their own backyard. Tapping renewable energy from local landfills helps them meet renewable energy goals and provide green power to customers who have signed up in record numbers.

2007 Endorser of the Year

CIFAL, Atlanta, Georgia

Bringing together local government officials and solid waste experts from around the world, CIFAL-Atlanta and LMOP co-hosted the Greening Solid Waste Practices workshop in September 2007. The forum allowed solid waste professionals to explore best practices for implementing LFG energy projects to reduce methane emissions, provide a clean, renewable form of energy, and stimulate the local economy.

2006 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 24, 2007, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 10th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2006 Projects of the Year

LMOP is pleased to recognize landfill gas (LFG) energy projects from many different sectors, including green energy production, offsetting the use of natural gas, generation and use of thermal energy, cogeneration of heat and power, and production of alternate fuels.

Jackson County Green Energy Park, North Carolina

LFG will aid local businesses and the community by helping produce biodiesel made from rapeseed grown by local farmers and providing process heat for pottery and glass-blowing studios, blacksmithing forges, greenhouses, and a botanicals and agricultural products drying facility.

Lancaster County and Turkey Hill Dairy, Pennsylvania

The LFG-fueled engines produce enough green electricity to power 2,000 homes and steam for Turkey Hill Dairy, the famous maker of ice cream, milk, and tea products.

Jefferson Parish and Cytec Industries Inc., Louisiana

With Hurricanes Katrina and Rita striking during project construction, the project partners had to overcome monumental odds to bring LFG to fuel the Cytec plant and economic benefits to the region.

Jenkins Brick Company, Alabama

When the time came to build a new $56 million dollar state-of-the-art brick manufacturing plant, access to a local and inexpensive source of renewable energy was high on the priority list for this company, which will use the LFG to help power its brick kilns.

2006 Community Partner of the Year

DeKalb County, Georgia

This progressive county provided funding and vision in the development of this project, overcoming political and institutional barriers to bring green power to Atlanta area residences and businesses.

2006 Energy End User Partner of the Year

BMW Manufacturing, South Carolina

In addition to its award-winning project using LFG for power and heat, BMW expanded the project to use LFG to fuel its paint shop operations, becoming the first company in the world to do so.

2006 Energy Provider Partner of the Year

Murray City Power (MCP), Utah

After initial economic and political setbacks, innovation and creativity on the part of MCP allows citizens in the Salt Lake region to benefit from this renewable source of power.

2006 State Partner of the Year

Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA)

One of the world leaders in economically sustainable solid waste management practices is also leading the way with electricity being generated from LFG at all of DSWA's landfills.

2005 Partner and Project of the Year Awards

On January 18, 2006, Partners accepted the following awards at LMOP's 9th Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore, Maryland.

2005 LMOP Project of the Year (Direct Use)

Lanchester Landfill Gas Utilization Project

The Lanchester Landfill Gas Utilization Project, developed by LMOP Industry Partner Granger Energy, received Project of the Year for its multi-end user project in south-central Pennsylvania. The project includes a 13-mile pipeline to transport 4,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of landfill gas (LFG) from LMOP Community Partner Chester County Solid Waste Authority's landfill across 75 land easements and 35 road crossings. For this first multi-user project in the state, Granger successfully petitioned the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) to be exempt from regulation as a public utility. LMOP State Partner Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) provided grant money to fund an LFG-fueled engine for the processing facility. Dart Container Corporation is currently using the LFG to fuel nine boilers, two ovens, and two thermal oxidizers and is 100-percent reliant on LFG for its energy needs. Advanced Food Products is also using the LFG to fuel three boilers, and one or two more customers are expected to be online this year. Granger estimates the project purchased more than $1 million in local materials and created more than 100 temporary construction jobs for local contractors.

2005 LMOP Project of the Year (Electricity Generation)

Santee Cooper's Green Power Generating Station

LMOP Energy Partner Santee Cooper and LMOP Industry Partner Allied Waste teamed up for a green power generating facility at the Lee County Landfill in South Carolina. The $7 million facility consists of three 1.8-megawatt (MW) GE Energy–Jenbacher engines and is the second renewable energy project for Santee Cooper, which offers the green power to its customers, including 15 of the state's electric cooperatives. Since 2001, Santee Cooper has sold more than 10,000 kilowatt-hours of LFG energy electricity. Santee Cooper plans to increase its green power portfolio with more LFG, with the potential expansion at the Lee County Landfill to more than 21.6 MW by 2010. Santee Cooper is leading the way for green power programs in the Southeast, with plans for 54 MW of green power online by 2012.

2005 LMOP Project of the Year (Alternate Fuel)

Biodiesel Production Facility, Denton, Texas

LMOP Energy Partner Biodiesel Industries, Inc. is working with LMOP Industry Partner DTE Biomass Energy to use LFG to fuel the process needs of a 3 million gallon biodiesel production facility in Texas. This is the first facility of its kind in the world where LFG is used to produce this alternative vehicle fuel. Processed hot water drives the chemical process that converts renewable feedstock, vegetable oils, and animal fats to biodiesel. In turn, the biodiesel fuels the city's fleet of garbage trucks and other utility vehicles. Using the 100,000 Btu of LFG to power the biodiesel plant allows Biodiesel Industries and the City of Denton, Texas (a partner in the project and an LMOP Community Partner) to hedge fuel prices and utilize a renewable energy source, further benefiting the environment. The Denton Landfill, which was highlighted at the LMOP Project Expo in 2003, will also house a larger LFG energy project expected to be operational in 2006.

2005 LMOP Industry Partner of the Year

Granger Energy

LMOP Industry Partner Granger Energy, with more than 30 years of landfill experience, was the first to develop an LFG energy project in Michigan back in 1985. Granger owns and operates both landfills and LFG energy projects, with 13 projects developed or in development in six states. Granger previously won LMOP's 2001 Industry Partner of the Year for its LFG energy project with Rolls-Royce. The LFG energy projects are a mix of both electricity generation and direct use. Granger offers its project partners a range of contracting structures where benefits are shared proportionally with the amount of risk. Additionally, Granger has pioneered discussions with the public utility commissions in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio to ensure that qualifying LFG energy projects are not regulated as public utilities. This year's Project of the Year at the Lanchester Landfill is an example of Granger's determination to see a project through.

2005 LMOP Energy Partner of the Year (End User)

Interface Flooring Systems

LMOP Energy Partner Interface Flooring Systems has a corporate mission that promotes projects that are both environmentally sustainable and economically feasible. In 2000, the company reached out to the City of LaGrange, Georgia, to build a 10-mile pipeline to bring the LFG from the city's landfill to its carpet production facility. This pipeline became operational in October 2005, reducing Interface's natural gas demand at the facility by 20 percent. Additionally, by securing the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction credits generated by the landfill's flare, the project helped Interface offset all its GHG emissions for its North American manufacturing facilities. Interface has been successful in gathering media interest in its LFG energy project, which is stimulating other corporate interest in LFG energy.

2005 LMOP Energy Partner of the Year (Provider)

Wabash Valley Power Association

LMOP Energy Partner Wabash Valley Power Association is a generation and transmission cooperative based in Indiana, providing wholesale power to 27 distribution systems in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. In 2005, Wabash Valley Power constructed two new LFG energy facilities (Jay County, Indiana, and Liberty, Indiana) and acquired three other existing Indiana facilities for a total of 22 MW of LFG-fueled generation in its power portfolio. The projects were developed in partnership with LMOP Industry Partner Waste Management. The plants all consist of LMOP Industry Partner Caterpillar 3516 engine-generators, which are manufactured in Indiana, enhancing further the in-state economic benefit of these projects. Wabash Valley Power created the green power product EnviroWatts® to sell the renewable energy to its customers, with over 4 percent of Wabash's customers purchasing green power through EnviroWatts.

2005 LMOP State Partner of the Year

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

PA DEP joined LMOP in 2003. They have launched a number of initiatives to encourage and foster the use of LFG. One tool is the Pennsylvania Landfill Methane Database, which catalogs landfills and LFG energy projects. PA DEP also worked with LMOP to develop A Primer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Developing Landfill Gas Utilization. The state passed the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which lists LFG energy as a Tier I technology. In addition, PA DEP has been very active in providing grant assistance to LFG energy projects. The Harvest Energy Grant has provided funding to three LFG energy projects, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant provided more than $1 million for LFG use as an alternative fuel, and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority funded two LFG energy projects in 2005.

2005 LMOP Community Partner of the Year

Fairfax County, Virginia

LMOP Community Partner Fairfax County, Virginia, owns and operates the I-95 Landfill, which has a 6.4-MW electricity project, as well as a direct-use project of approximately 1,000 scfm of LFG at its wastewater treatment plant. Although most of the LFG collected was being utilized, the County decided to replace their existing propane-fired heating system onsite in the maintenance shop with LFG-fired infrared tube heaters to further maximize LFG utilization. The county connected small-diameter pipes to supply the LFG at 12 to 15 scfm for the five heaters. Activated carbon drums were used to filter out siloxanes prior to delivery to the burners. The new LFG heating system improved the working conditions in the shop by heating objects, rather than air, which was quickly lost through the overhead doors. The county will benefit from the money saved by the avoided purchase of the propane, and the use of LFG will reduce GHG emissions.