In an incredible recycling operation that reduces global warming, a waste hauler is building a facility to produce Liquefied Natural Gas from methane emitted from its California landfill to fuel its garbage trucks.
"Houston-based Waste Management Inc. and Linde North America, a German-based global natural gas producer, are working together to create what the two describe as the world's largest facility converting landfill gas to clean vehicle fuel." The Altamont landfill is outside Livermore in Alameda County, CA, and is scheduled to open next year.
"California's Air Resources Board and the state's Integrative Waste Management Board are among agencies that provided $1.6 million in grants to help fund the $15 million liquid natural gas plant."
"Waste Management already harnesses landfill gas to produce electricity at about 100 of its 280 landfills nationwide. This is the first time the company will convert landfill gas into liquid natural gas to power trucks, replacing the LNG that it trucks in from Arizona."
"Conventional natural gas is a fossil fuel, but natural gas derived from biomass, such as organic waste decomposing in landfills, is a renewable resource."
"Landfill gas – a mixture of half methane and half carbon dioxide – is collected, purified, compressed and supercooled to form liquid natural gas. Only methane is used to form the fuel. Some carbon dioxide is released into the air but under limits set by the state."
"The plant is expected to generate 13,000 gallons per day of the fuel, enough to power about 300 trucks. The company expects to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30,000 tons a year using biogas."
From Oakland Tribune:
"The project is a "very significant step toward helping meet (Gov. Arnold) Schwarzenegger's new low-carbon fuel standard," Linda Adams, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, said in a statement."
FULL STORY: Waste Management to use landfill gas to power trucks

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie