ABQ to Receive $500,000 Grant to Make Energy out of Garbage

Innovative Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project to Power Glass Recycling

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today announced the City of Albuquerque will receive a $500,000 grant for its landfill gas-to-energy project. The grant, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will fund a system that converts gas emitted from Albuquerque's Cerro Colorado landfill into energy, including the power for a glass recycling facility.

"I applaud the EPA selection of Albuquerque's gas-to-energy project for these funds," Udall said. "This innovative project will help protect the public from harmful greenhouse gas emissions and provide new opportunities for glass recycling in Albuquerque, all the while creating new clean energy jobs."

The gas-to-energy system collects the methane generated by landfill materials as they decompose. First, the gas will be used to fire a new kiln at a glass recycling facility, which already makes use of the glass collected through the city's recycling program. Second, the gas will be piped to the county's detention facility to fire its heating and hot water boilers. In conjunction with this work, the city will also conduct a public education campaign about renewable energy technologies.

The City of Albuquerque has partnered with Santa Fe-based Growstone to recycle the glass collected through the recycling program.

The project also reduces the chance of landfill contaminants traveling as a gas and polluting the ground water.

Funding for the grant comes from the EPA's Climate Showcase Communities initiative, which helps communities increase energy efficiency, save consumers money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Albuquerque is among 25 U.S. communities receiving a total of $10 million for projects that will reduce greenhouse gases.

Source : Press Release