5. OPEN FORUM HANDOUT 10-20-2014

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Landfill Gas to Electric Generating Plant 0 Environmental Learning Center Sherburne County has historically supported waste to energy initiatives; and, the Landfill Gas Electric Generating Plant, located at the Elk River Landfill, is yet another example of this County leading by example. Overview: In 2002, a Landfill Gas to Electric Generating Plant was installed (through a cooperative agreement be- tween the Elk River Landfill, Elk River Municipal Utilities, and Sherburne County) at the Elk River Landfill to collect, filter, and burn methane gas from decomposing waste for energy production. The energy produced is sold to Great River Energy (GRE). The installation is the result of several years of planning by the three part- ners. Two phases of operation were designated. Initially, three 800 Kilowatt Caterpillar engine- generators were installed in the 5,100 square foot (state of the art) power plant which have produced 20 million kilowatt -hours of energy annually. The second phase was initiated when, in June 2006, a fourth engine- generator was installed at the facility. The addition of the fourth engine- generator increased annual energy output to an average of 26 mil- lion kilowatt -hours (enough to supply about 15% of the population of Elk River with all their energy needs through a renewable energy source at that time). Since the addition of the fourth engine, the City of Elk River has grown, including that of two data centers both of which are large energy users. As a result of this growth in population, and increase demand in energy use, current production from the plant is now meeting 9% of the City's electrical needs. The Fuel Source: Each day, trucks deliver garbage to the Elk River Landfill, located in the City of Elk River, Sherburne County MN. This garbage breaks down /decomposes, and a by- product of this decomposition is landfill gas. Elk River Landfill's gas is comprised of 52% methane, 40% carbon dioxide, and 8% other. Methane, a colorless, odorless gas, has long been known as a "greenhouse" gas infamous for contributing to global warming. Large concentrations of methane can be dangerous due to its combustibility. Unless recovered for alternative uses, landfill (mostly methane) gas is usually burned off in an open flare to reduce the potential for accumulation to dangerous levels. A Unique Public and Private Partnership: Resulting from several discussions, Waste Management (Elk River Landfill owner /operator) and Sher- burne County were able to facilitate an arrangement that allowed Elk River's landfill gas to be used as a renewa- ble resource; by burning the gas for fuel (to produce electricity), methane production became a beneficial by- product rather than a detriment to the environment. Each engine currently burns 330 cubic feet of gas per mi- 23