Yielding an annual net increase of approximately $1.3 million dollars, the captured gas energy created from the County’s Waste Management and Recycling landfill is being sold to SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) at a new rate.
“The partnership with SMUD is evidence of Sacramento County’s continual advancement of sustainability and environmentally forward practices,” said Bradley J. Hudson, County Executive Officer. “The new power contract is a quality renewal of the 15-year contract that was created in 1999 and will take us to the end of 2025.”
The Kiefer Landfill is home to a power plant that receives methane and the carbon dioxide gasses put off by decomposing waste and then converts them into electricity. By drilling down into the layers of waste at the landfill, gas is piped out and directed into the power plant. Built in 1999, that plant burns the gas and is able to help support the regional electric grid by putting out 14 megawatts of electricity - enough to power more than 8,900 homes.
“The revenue earned will go toward the solid waste enterprise fund and is a clear benefit to the Department of Waste Management & Recycling and its customers,” said Department Director Paul Philleo. “The money will help to offset costs and maintain services while providing competitive prices.”
Other than the financial benefit, this process also helps the environment. The greenhouse gases used to create the power would otherwise pollute the air at an equivalent of 117 thousand cars on the road per year.
