Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-toEnergy in the United States

Ted Michaels
President
Energy Recovery Council
March 10, 2010

What is Waste-to-Energy?
Waste-to-Energy is a specially designed energy
generation facility that uses household waste as
fuel and helps solve some of societys 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 Nations 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 ~ ton of coal or ~1 barrel of oil

A new 1,500 ton/day facility = 50 MW electricity

Environmentally Sustainable Waste Disposal

EPAs 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 CO 2 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

IN
100 cubic yards
of waste

90% volume
reduction

OUT
10 cubic yards
of (inert) ash

Environmental Performance
Waste-to-Energy
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

Pollutant

1990-2005%
reduction

Dioxin

99

Mercury

96

Cadmium

96

Lead

97

Particulate
Matter

96

HCl

94

SO2

88

NOx

24

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 ReportThe 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:
1. Energy Prices
2. Metal Recovery
3. Renewable incentives
4. Net-GHG reducer
5. Long-term price stability
6. Control over waste stream

Waste-to-Energy Growth
Opportunities
Greenfield Projects

WTE Expansions

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

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?
1. Policymakers are looking for renewable energy sources that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
2. Dependable and long-term solutions for municipal solid waste
disposal remains a paramount concern for local governments.
3. Higher energy revenues, metals recovery, renewable incentives, and
decades of operational efficiency have made waste-to-energy more
cost-competitive.
4. 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