The Solar Center coordinates the activities of the Landfill Gas to Energy Steering Committee – a group comprised of public and private entities to promote the development of landfill gas to energy facilities in the state. The Committee provides technical assistance to developers and landfill owners and operators, and facilitates the introduction between these two important parties.

Benefits of Landfill Gas to Energy Development

Methane is the primary constituent of natural gas. Thus, the utilization of methane collected from LFG provides a valuable, clean-burning energy source that improves quality of life in local communities and can generate revenue and improve living standards. LFG prices are more consistent, unlike the volatile prices of natural gas. Producing energy from LFG can also avoid the use of higher-emitting energy resources such as wood, coal or oil. This can reduce end user and power plant emissions of CO2 and air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (a major contributor to acid rain), particulate matter (a respiratory health concern), and trace hazardous air pollutants. And because methane is both a potent greenhouse gas and has a short atmospheric lifetime, methane reductions can produce significant near-term results. Since the EPA developed the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) in 1994, landfill methane emissions have been reduced by over 18 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE). The greenhouse gas reduction benefits are equivalent to having planted 19.6 million acres of forest or removed the annual emissions from 14.5 million cars.

Programs that Support LFG Development

EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) www.epa.gov/lmop/ (888)782-7937
NCDENR-Division of Waste Management www.wastenotnc.org
Sold Waste Association of North America (SWANA) www.swana.org

Select Presentations and Proceedings from Previous Conferences and Meetings

LFG 101

NC GreenPower and LFG

LFG Policies and Regulations

How to Write an RFP

Carbon Credits vs Renewable Energy Credit