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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Waste-to-Energy Playing a Significant Roll

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Environmental Performance Waste-to-Energy
Pollutant
% 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.”
Fact: “The performance of the MACT retrofit has been outstanding.” USEPA 8/10/2007

9. 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.”
Waste Not, Want Not
Ted Michaels, Energy Recovery Council
April, 2009
Fact: The IPCC, in its th Assessment Report (Synthesis Report, Table 4.2), calls
waste incineration with energy recovery a key waste mitigation technology.

10. Environmental Performance of Waste-to-Energy Climate Change

11. 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).

12. 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.

13. International Perspective

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. For More Information:
Ted Michaels
President
Energy Recovery Council
1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036