Landfill gas will help Nevada increase its renewable energy portfolio standard

(22/12/2009)

NV Energy and CC Landfill Energy LLC have entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement for the sale of energy produced from an 11-megawatt landfill gas-powered project to be located at Republic Services’ Apex Regional Landfill north of Las Vegas.

CC Landfill Energy is owned and operated by Energenic, a partnership between long-term business partners Marina Energy and DCO Energy. Energenic has developed and constructed similar facilities throughout the United States, including recent projects in New Jersey and Maryland.

Named the Apex Landfill Renewable Energy Generating Facility, this project is expected to be operating by late 2011. CC Landfill Energy will use landfill gas extracted from a series of wells at the landfill and use that gas in a state-of-the-art turbine-generator to make renewable electricity for NV Energy customers. Using landfill gas in this manner reduces dependence on other natural resources, and improves air quality and carbon emissions.

NV Energy’s CEO and President Michael Yackira noted that the project provides a significant environmental benefit for Southern Nevada, as well as a reliable and consistent renewable energy resource for customers.

“This project is remarkable because it recovers otherwise unused landfill gas, cleans the gas with state of the art technology, and then uses that gas as fuel to generate renewable energy for our customers,” Yackira said.

Energenic’s President and CEO Frank DiCola said his company is proud to move the Apex Landfill Renewable Energy Generating Facility and Republic Services toward a renewable, energy efficient future.

“This project will expand the future of renewable energy, and DCO Energy, Marina Energy, NV Energy and Republic Services look forward to continuing to explore new opportunities for innovative, environmentally-friendly, renewable energy options,” he said. DCO Energy LLC will be the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project. DCO Energy LLC will operate the plant.

“Landfill gas- a clean, renewable energy source- will help Nevada meet its recent commitment to increase its renewable energy portfolio standard,” said Jim O’Connor, Chairman and CEO, Republic Services, Inc. “This project, once again, demonstrates Republic’s commitment to being part of the solution and its leadership in generating renewable energy from solid waste.”

The Apex Landfill Renewable Energy Generating Facility is one of more than 35 existing or proposed renewable energy facilities that are benefiting NV Energy customers in Nevada. It will assist NV Energy in meeting Nevada’s renewable energy portfolio standard, which was recently increased by the state legislature. The standard requires that 25 percent of NV Energy’s sales be generated by renewable resources and energy-efficiency and conservation programs by 2025. The specific terms of the power purchase agreement were not disclosed.

The long-term agreement stems from NV Energy’s 2008 Request for Proposals for renewable energy and requires Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approval.

Related categories:  Biofuels and biomass