City of Durham

DURHAM -- At 11 a.m. today, Durham will be the latest municipality to benefit from green energy thanks to a partnership which will harness its landfill gas to produce renewable energy.

The city, along with Methane Power, Inc. and Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the completion and start-up operation of the city Landfill Gas-to-Energy Green Power Project. Featured guest speakers include Mayor Bill Bell, Duke Energy District Manager Ken Kernodle, Leo LeBlanc with Methane Power, and Chris Godlove with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Landfill gas, largely methane, is produced when organic materials in large landfills decompose.

This greenhouse gas, if released, is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Durham's project captures the gas produced at the city's closed landfill and will fuel three 20-cylinder engines to convert it into electricity. Using the gas to produce electricity is not only cost effective, but also eliminates this potent gas that otherwise is a major contributor to global warming. Ultimately, this project will generate approximately three megawatts of electricity, which is equivalent to powering about 1,900 average-sized homes annually.

"Not only does this project support Durham's green energy efforts by converting landfill gas into renewable energy, it also provides a financial benefit to our taxpayers by offsetting the costs of the required post-closure landfill monitoring," said Bell. "This is just another example of how Durham is leading the way in protecting and preserving our community's natural environment."

Under the terms of the partnership, Duke Energy will purchase the renewable energy certificates and three megawatts of renewable energy generated at the landfill.

"This is just one more example of how Duke Energy Carolinas is investing in renewable energy in the Carolinas," said Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy Carolinas. "Our commitment to provide customers with reliable, affordable and clean electricity is steadfast."

Methane Power has made a $5 million investment in the city to construct the new facility, which will harness the landfill gas and turn it into renewable energy that will then be purchased by Duke Energy.

According to Lewis Gay, vice president of Methane Power, landfill gas is one of the most economical renewable options available in North Carolina and it uses proven technology.

"Methane Power is pleased to be a part of this project working with the innovative leadership of the City of Durham and Duke Energy Carolinas," said Gay. "We are dedicated to providing North Carolina with as much renewable energy as possible from landfill gas."