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Mason County Landfill Methane Gas Project Discontinued

Terry Prather, The Ledger Independent

Mason County officials learned Tuesday (Dec. 9) during a fiscal court meeting the methane gas-to-energy project at the landfill between East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the county has been discontinued.

Negotiations to locate a methane plant at the landfill began between EKPC and the county in 2007: ground was broken on the project in 2008. The $2.5 million plant was to produce clean, renewable electricity using methane gas, a natural by-product of waste decomposition at landfills. The gas plant is owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the landfill's commitment was to provide methane to the plant under a contractual arrangement.

As a renewal energy source, the plant was expected to generate 1.6 megawatts, enough electricity to supply about 880 homes. The electricity produced at the landfill plant fed into the EKPC's Spurlock Station grid.

Judge-Executive James L. "Buddy" Gallenstein said Tuesday it would cost the county approximately $400,000 to make improvements to the (gas) collection system, which is the county's responsibility.  He said EKPC will continue with the project, if the county commits to making the necessary improvements, in order to deliver the needed methane gas.

"We are at an impasse in regard to the present system...their system isn't meshing with our production," said County Attorney John Estill.

EKPC Public and Media Relations Representative Nick Comer said Tuesday (Dec. 9) there were issues with the reliability of the delivery of the methane gas at the landfill and the company couldn't justify the cost of keeping a generator and plant operator on site.

"We feel it is the responsibility of the landfill to pay for improving the collection infrastructure and delivery of gas to the plant.  If we can get a reliable source of gas, we will talk to the county, we want it to be successful," said Comer, adding EKPC operates five methane gas plants in the state.

The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com