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OPTION #4: Construct an alternate buried gas collection system (as in Option #3) plus a landfill <br />gas purification system to remove the sulfur. The gas purification system is new technology not <br />used in this country yet. The only working model is in Australia. This technology claims to <br />remove 98% of the sulfur, in our case that would be in-the 500# per day range. 'The estimated <br />cost for the buried gas collection system and installation of the gas purification system is <br />estimated to be $1,000,000 plus $65,000 per year operating and maintenance costs. Waste <br />Management has had experience with other gas purification systems to remove sulfur at other <br />facilities. The experience is not good for they do not work as well as advertised with extremely <br />high operating and maintenance costs. <br />In analyzing this issue, other information is as follows: <br />A. As time passes, the gas production in this part of the landfill with high H2S will decrease <br />and this sulfur problem will greatly diminish. We do not know if this time frame is two <br />years or ten years. <br />B. If the landfill receives the necessary permits from the City of Elk River, Sherburne <br />County, and the MPCA to expand, another LFG to electric generation facility will be <br />proposed. We have previously presented the financial pro-forma for this proposed power <br />plant expansion to this Commission. There is enough revenue in the power plant <br />expansion to pay for Option #3 or #4 above. We will not know the future of the landfill <br />expansion for six to nine months. <br />I am leaning towards Option #3 but getting Sherburne County to participate financially may be <br />challenging. It will take approximately six months to do the necessary engineering to authorize <br />the construction documents. Another strategy is Option #1 for now and wait for the <br />determination of the landfill expansion. <br />Does the Commission have any other ideas or suggestions? <br />