Waste Management Partners with County on Energy Project

Waste Management of Illinois Inc. has announced a plan with Will County, Ill., to develop a landfill gas-to-energy plant at the Prairie View Recycling and Disposal Facility near Wilmington.

Under plans announced today, Will County and Waste Management will enter into an agreement to develop a landfill gas-to-energy plant at the facility, which will generate electricity that is distributed over the area's electrical grid. Waste Management will build and operate the facility, which could be in operation by the end of this year.

Will County said it intends to apply for federal economic stimulus funds earmarked for renewable energy projects to help finance the project. Once the grant process is complete, Will County anticipates putting at least $1 million in stimulus funds toward the project.

The Prairie View landfill is owned by the county and is its primary waste disposal facility. Waste Management operates the site under a long-term agreement. It opened in January 2004.

Waste Management announced plans in 2007 to add 60 such plants to its network by 2013, and is on track to achieve that goal.

The Company estimates that the initial landfill gas-to-energy facility will consist of three to four reciprocating engines, which will produce 2.4 to 3.2 megawatts of power. The projected electrical output of more than 18 million kilowatt hours a year will be delivered to the ComEd distribution lines, and is enough to meet the needs of more than 2,000 Will County households.