|
|
|
Construction of landfill power plant has begun
|
By MARLA TONCRAY, News Editor
|
As talk of utilizing alternative fuel sources gains a stronger foothold in America, Mason County has become home to an electric power plant which will be fueled by methane gas.
A ground-breaking ceremony took place Thursday morning at the Maysville-Mason County Landfill on a new, $2.5 million plant to produce clean, renewable electricity using methane gas, a natural by-product of waste decomposition at landfills. The gas plant is owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the landfill will provide methane to the plant under a contractual arrangement, officials said.
Officials of EKPC and Fleming-Mason Energy joined State Rep. Mike Denham, Mason County Judge-Executive James L. "Buddy" Gallenstein, Maysville Mayor David Cartmell and other city and county officials at the site to celebrate the start of construction on the electric plant.
The Mason County plant is the sixth EKPC landfill gas plant; the others are located in Falmouth, Walton, Grayson, London and Elizabethtown. The plant is scheduled for completion in spring 2009.
EKPC President and CEO Bob Marshall said the gas plants are "very cost effective units" and he wished there could be more of them.
"They have been some of our best units," Marshall said. "We're glad to be here and open this plant."
 |
| Ground-breaking ceremonies were held Thursday morning at the Maysville-Mason County Landfill gas plant with dignitaries from East Kentucky Power Cooperative state and local officials on hand. -- Terry Prather/Staff |
As a renewal energy source, the plant will generate 1.6 megawatts, which is enough electricity to supply about 880 homes, official said. The electricity produced at the landfill plant will feed into the Spurlock Station grid. The power generated at Mason County and other landfill gas plants is sold through the EnviroWatts program in 100-kilowatt blocks for $2.75 a block. The program is offered by 14 cooperatives, including Fleming-Mason Energy.
In addition to being a renewable energy source, the plant will eliminate 3,187 tons of methane and 8.756 tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. According to EPA estimates, this is the environmental equivalent of planting 15,606 trees, removing emissions equivalent to 12,576 cars or offsetting the use of 359 rail cars of coal.
"For more than 30 years now, East Kentucky Power Cooperative has been honored to be part of the local community, and this plant will be another important step in that long-standing partnership," Marshall said.
"Fleming-Mason Energy and East Kentucky Power Cooperative are committed to providing cleaner, smarter energy that is affordable, reliable and works for our members," said Fleming-Mason Energy CEO Chris Perry.
To date, nearly 8 percent of EKPC's generating capacity comes from renewable sources. The plants have the capacity to generate 15 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply more than 8,000 homes in the state, said officials.
"We've always been in the front end of renewable (fuels)," Marshall said of EKPC's efforts to look for alternative fuel sources.
When completed, the plant will be a one-story, split faced masonry block building located across from the area containing residential waste. An underground pipeline will feed the methane gas to the generating plant. Ralph Tyree, EKPC manager of nontraditional power said there are also plans to tie into the former residential landfill area as well. Tyree oversees operations at all landfill gas plants.
Former MMCL Manager Robert DeVoe explained in a previous interview how the gas collection sites work. He said as the garbage is decomposed without air, it produces about 50 percent methane, a natural gas, and about 50 percent carbon dioxide, as well as some water. The landfill has installed gas wells and collectors.
DeVoe said this process prevents methane from going up into the atmosphere. Although methane is a clean burning fuel, it is a relatively potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. DeVoe explained that utilizing the methane as a form of fuel prevents the harmful gas from going into the atmosphere.
According to DeVoe, the landfill already has 34 horizontal collector wells and a ground water monitoring well installed in the older of the two utilized landfill sites. The older site has been in its location since August, 1981. The newer of the two has operated since 1997. It still has around 46-48 years left at the present intake of about 350 tons per day. An expansion of that site will add another 17 years onto that capacity. The older site is already collecting methane and preventing it from going into the atmosphere, said DeVoe. The newer site has a passive flair in addition to multiple active gas wells.
Gallenstein told those gathered he and DeVoe were first exposed to the idea of using methane gas as an alternative fuel when they visited another landfill in 1996.
Gallenstein said he and DeVoe talked about the possibility of "someday maybe we'd have a (gas plant) project here."
"We're thankful to East Kentucky Power for building here ... it's a great project for Maysville and Mason County," Gallenstein said.
Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 275. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Re Incomplete wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:15 PM: " Down the AA in the Orangeburg area, follow your nose and you will find it. "
incomplete facts wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:31 AM: " Great news regarding the power plant. However, not everyone, Ms. Toncray, knows exactly where the Mason County landfill is located. "
Add your own comments:
|
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars
Print Ads