“Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-to-Energy in the United States”

What is Waste-to-Energy? Municipal Solid Waste 1 ton Waste-to-Energy is a specially designed energy generation facility that uses household waste as fuel and helps solve some of society’s big challenges Municipal Solid Waste 1 ton Power: up to 750 kWh Metal: 50 lbs Ash: 10% of original volume

Converting Waste Into Clean Renewable Power Helps Solve Three of the Nation’s Biggest Challenges Green Jobs - A new facility creates $1 Billion of economic activity Clean, Renewable Energy - 500,000 tons of MSW per year = 400,000,000 kWh Climate Change - One ton of trash avoids one ton of CO2 eq.

Waste-to-Energy Playing a Significant Roll

Renewable Energy U.S. EPA states that Waste-to-Energy “produces electricity with less environmental impact than almost any other source” 25 States and the federal government defined Waste-to-Energy as renewable The United States must utilize all renewable sources to reach its goals Waste-to-Energy produces up to 750kWh per ton while landfill gas produces 65 kWh per ton Waste-to-Energy complements other renewable sources 24 hours per day, 7 days per week Fewer fossil fuels burned: 1 ton of waste ~¼ ton of coal or ~1 barrel of oil A new 1,500 ton/day facility = 50 MW electricity

Environmentally Sustainable Waste Disposal EPA’s MSW Hierarchy places Waste-to-Energy above landfill for disposal for post-recycled waste Waste-to-Energy reduces Greenhouse gases Every ton of waste processed avoids one ton of CO2 equivalent Waste-to-Energy reduces the volume of waste by 90% Extends the life of the landfills Reduces future long haul transportation

Waste-to-Energy Facility Reducing the Volume of Waste & Saving Space in the Landfill while Generating Clean, Renewable Energy 13,000 KWh generated 90% volume reduction OUT 10 cubic yards of (inert) ash IN 100 cubic yards of waste

Environmental Performance Waste-to-Energy Pollutant 1990-2005% reduction Dioxin 99 Mercury 96 Cadmium Lead 97 Particulate Matter HCl 94 SO2 88 NOx 24 False: “The EPA requires incinerators “to use the best control technologies,” but unfortunately, the best control technology is a poor technology and ineffective of removing the toxins from an incinerators emissions.” http://sierraclubmass.org/issues/conservation/zw/incineration.html Fact: “The performance of the MACT retrofit has been outstanding.” USEPA 8/10/2007

Environmental Performance Waste-to-Energy Climate Change False: “As a source of energy, burning trash produces more global warming CO2 than natural gas, oil, or even coal.” http://www.sierraclubmass.org/issues/legislative/incineration.htm Waste Not, Want Not Ted Michaels, Energy Recovery Council April, 2009 Fact: The IPCC, in its 2007 4th Assessment Report (Synthesis Report, Table 4.2), calls waste incineration with energy recovery a key waste mitigation technology.

Environmental Performance of Waste-to-Energy Climate Change

Waste-to-Energy is Compatible with Recycling Waste-to-Energy and recycling are complementary parts of an integrated waste management program. 2009 report conducted by Eileen Berenyi of Governmental Advisory Associates Actual recycling rate of WTE communities (33.2%) is greater than the national average (28.5% calculated by BioCycle/Columbia University) Recycling rates of Massachusetts communities served by Waste-to-Energy plants are higher than state average (MA DEP data).

International Perspective Europe EU Landfill Directive 65% reduction in landfilling of biodegradable Municipal Solid Waste Currently over 400 Waste-to-Energy Facilities 2008 study estimated an additional 100 new facilities by 2012 China Target 30% Waste-to-Energy by 2030 Preferential feed-in electricity tariff Kyoto Protocol Recognizes Waste-to-Energy as an eligible offset in CDM protocol Davos Report—The World Economic Forum Identifies eight emerging clean energy sectors including wind, solar and Waste-to-Energy.

International Perspective

Legislative Recognition Congress has provided incentives waste-to-energy in key ways: Section 45 Renewable Energy Production Tax Credits Federal Government Renewable Purchasing Program Congressional proposals to establish Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Congressional proposals to establish a cap-and-trade program and hold WTE harmless

Waste-to-Energy Attractiveness Factors that are making local governments look at WTE: Energy Prices Metal Recovery Renewable incentives Net-GHG reducer Long-term price stability Control over waste stream

Waste-to-Energy Growth Opportunities Greenfield Projects Frederick County, MD Harford County, MD West Palm Beach, FL Los Angeles, CA York-Durham, ON Chester County, SC Elbert County, GA Cleveland, OH Milwaukee, WI Taunton, MA Fall River, MA WTE Expansions Lee County, FL Hillsborough County, FL Olmsted, MN Pope-Douglas, MN Honolulu, HI Hempstead, NY

Summary Why are the Prospects for WTE Burgeoning in the United States? Policymakers are looking for renewable energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Dependable and long-term solutions for municipal solid waste disposal remains a paramount concern for local governments. Higher energy revenues, metals recovery, renewable incentives, and decades of operational efficiency have made waste-to-energy more cost-competitive. High price of transportation fuel coupled with increased distance to new landfills makes landfilling more expensive.

For More Information: Ted Michaels President Energy Recovery Council 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036 202-467-6240 tmichaels@energyrecoverycouncil.org www.energyrecoverycouncil.org