There is something illuminating about rotting garbage, at least in the minds of St. George city officials.
The city will investigate whether methane gas produced by trash at the Washington County landfill can be used to fire turbines for generating electricity.
Rene Fleming, St. George conservation coordinator, said the southern Utah city has approved $200,000 in federal stimulus money to pay for a feasibility study on using methane in a project that initially would generate one megawatt of electricity. One megawatt can provide power for up to 500 houses.
"We've worked with the landfill's district manager to see if we could come to a meeting of the minds to use methane locally to run a [power] plant," said Fleming.
She said one advantage of methane is that it is a power source available all the time, unlike solar and wind power which depend on the vagaries of the weather.
If the project goes forward, it would be the latest means of generating power from renewable sources in St. George. The city's energy portfolio also includes coal, solar, natural gas and hydro generation.
Last year, St. George opened a SunSmart solar farm with Dixie-Escalante Electric, which allows residents to buy solar units for part of their power.
St. George utility customers will be first in line if the quality and quantity of methane gas makes the landfill project feasible, Fleming said. If enough power could be produced, other cities in the county could eventually be invited to participate.
Fleming said renewable energy programs address climate change by reducing emission of greenhouse gases. And diverse energy portfolio would prepare St. George to meet any future state or federal mandates about renewable energy sources.
Neil Schwendiman, manager of the landfill, said the quality and quantity of methane gas generated by the decomposing trash will determine what kind of equipment will be used in the project.
He said the landfill receives about 700 tons of garbage a day, but has seen less from commercial and residential areas since the economy has soured. A 2007 master plan for the facility projects its operation until 2060.
Once a landfill produces a certain amount of methane, federal regulations require that the gas be vented and burned off. The Washington County landfill is approaching that level and Schwendiman is hoping the vented gas can be used for electricity.
"They are staying ahead of the curve," he said of the city's test project.
Since 2002, this southern Utah City has diversified its energy portfolio by developing renewable power sources.
In 2009, it started a 100-kilowatt solar farm with Dixie-Escalante Electricity. The SunSmart program allows residents to purchase power produced by photovoltaic panels. Although sales have been sluggish, the city plans to expand the facility using about $190,000 in federal stimulus money.
A feasibility study will test whether power for about 500 houses can be produced from methane gas from the Washington County landfill. If successful, the project could be expanded to produce electricity for other cities in the county.
Most of the city's power comes from hydro-electric, coal and natural gas.
