Published: February 24, 2009 10:15 am      

Landfills generate electricity from trash

Terry Beasy, district manager for Waste Management, explained to a room of more than 100 people that daily discarded trash can be turned into electricity to power thousands of homes and businesses.

Methane, the byproduct of decomposing garbage, is being converted into energy at landfills near Buffalo and Logansport. Beasy discussed the effort at the Cass County Soil & Water Conservation District’s annual meeting Monday.

“Like wind and solar power, landfill gas is a natural resource that can be harnessed to produce renewable energy,” Beasy said.

The generating plant at Oakridge Landfill south of Logansport generates enough power for 2,500 homes. Statewide, the total exceeds 36,000 homes, Beasy said.

Because methane is produced 24/7 for 20 years after a landfill accepts its last bag of trash, continued expansion of the program is expected. At Liberty Landfill near Buffalo, Waste Management is seeking a second power plant that will produce power for an additional 5,000 homes.

“It is an exciting time to be in renewable energy,” Beasy said. “Indiana has shown its willingness to support and promote this industry for the good of its citizens.”

He called landfill gas a key component in the state’s renewable energy portfolio.

“These facilities represent a great opportunity as well as the obligation to tap this viable resource and offset the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil,” he said.

Beasy’s message fit perfectly into the soil & water district’s conservation objectives.

During the meeting, a Powerpoint slideshow illustrated no-till farming practices, filter strips and rotational grazing intended to preserve farmland, protect soil, improve water quality and maintain wildlife habitat.

John Young, the county’s new district conservationist, offered his expertise to landowners interested in conservation programs that might include financial incentives.

Ruth Bender was voted back onto the board of supervisors, while Sandy Heckard was re-appointed to the same board. Both will serve three-year terms.

Two people were recognized for their efforts in 2008. Cameron Mills was named cooperator of the year, while Roger Miller was named conservation educator of the year.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com