Green Energy

GRU and the Alachua County Public Works Department are partnering to use gas produced by the Southwest Landfill near Archer to create green energy. Green energy is energy produced from a renewable resource. This will utilize the expertise of both agencies - the County will collect the gas and GRU will generate the power.

Fuel Source and Power Potential

Methane gas is created by the natural degradation of organic matter in the landfill. Anaerobic bacteria digest food waste, paper, cardboard and other organic-based materials. At the Southwest Landfill this process provides a fuel source capable of generating 1.1 megawatts of power in the initial phases of the project. The gas is drawn through miles of piping inside the landfill and burned as fuel to power a generator. Because the landfill is closed, the amount of gas produced will diminish each year.

Goals

• Serves local demand for "green energy"
• Reduces landfill mass
• Reduces the release of methane, which contributes to global warming
• Reduces the release of rank-smelling gases

Project Update

GRU and the Alachua County Public Works Department partnered together to use gas produced by the Southwest Landfill near Archer to create green energy. Green energy is energy produced from a renewable resource. This partnership utilizes the expertise of both agencies - the County collects the gas and GRU generates the power.

Commercial operations began December 3, 2003 following a public ceremony at the landfill. Customers who want to support "green energy" can sign up through our Web site. For more information on this topic, please Contact Us.

Nationwide Landfill Gas to Energy Projects

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 325 landfill gas to energy projects exist across the U.S. For more information on landfill gas to energy projects in the U.S., visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Land Methane Outreach Program Web site.