County to produce methane energy

Landfill gases could be harnessed for power

By: Scott Morgan
    FLORENCE — Beneath the Burlington County landfill’s heaps of waste, the methane oozes. Collected by a web of pipes, the gas is funneled to a group of flares where it is burned away. No pollution, no mess and no profit.
    That, however, may be about to change. This week, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to submit its final application for a $3.9 million grant from the state Board of Public Utilities, a grant that would fund a project to convert excess methane gas into energy.
    According to Ralph Shrom, spokesman for the freeholders’ office, the grant is part of a $7 million overall project that could generate both electricity and cash flow for the Burlington County landfill, located on the border of Florence and Mansfield townships.
    The project, Mr. Shrom said, should produce not only enough energy to power the landfill’s operations, but possibly $1 million in annual profits from the sale of energy back to PSE&G.
   "Once we’re up and running, which should be in about two years," Mr. Shrom said, "(Burlington County) should be the largest producer of … renewable energy in the state."
    Mr. Shrom said the process involves collecting the methane created by decomposing trash and funneling it to a turbine generator, where it will be converted to energy. Before the project can begin, however, the county will need to secure the grant and permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
    Mr. Shrom could not predict when the freeholders’ office would hear from either agency.