Environment and Conservation
May 27, 2008Landfill Gas
Recovery Project to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of
Environment and Conservation, today announced $1.6 million in funding
for the construction of a methane gas recovery unit at the Robin Hood
Bay landfill. The Landfill Gas Collecting and Flaring System (LGCFS) can
potentially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the site by
50,000 � 60,000 tonnes per year.
"Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, and we
understand the serious adverse effects it has on our environment,
particularly our climate," said Minister Johnson. "This system would
essentially cut GHGs in half at the landfill site and, subsequently,
mitigate adverse effects on our climate."
The Robin Hood Bay landfill emits approximately
130,000 tonnes of GHGs per year, representing approximately 1.2 per cent
of the total greenhouse gases emitted in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Organic matter that is placed in a landfill and buried decomposes
without oxygen and produces significant amounts of methane gas. This gas
is estimated to be 21 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon
dioxide. Studies have shown that, even 25 years after waste is buried,
large quantities of methane gas are still produced. Through the LGCFS,
methane will be captured and destroyed in a safe manner by using a
flare. This will also help control odour and any other possible adverse
environmental impacts. The potential also exists for the methane to be
converted into electricity or a fuel for vehicles used at the site.
"The city is very pleased with the co-operation and
support of the Provincial Government in our efforts to retrofit the
Robin Hood Bay Landfill Site to meet environmental standards," said
Acting St. John�s Mayor Shannie Duff. "The contribution towards the
completion of the methane collection and flaring system will enable the
city to take a major step forward in the achievement of our
environmental goals. It is the city�s intention, if quantities are
sufficient, to convert the collected methane to electricity for sale to
the grid, and preliminary reports on the available quantities are very
positive."
"While there are existing GHGs, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions wherever possible and introducing sustainable development
principles into all aspects of society is our focus," said Minister
Johnson. "Climate change is a factor that will have a considerable
impact on the sustainability of our communities, and we must lessen its
effects wherever possible. A recovery system like the one proposed for
Robin Hood Bay is one such mitigating effort."
Funding for this project comes from the EcoAction
Trust Fund which was announced in 2007 by the Federal Government. This
$23 million fund is focused on technology or energy efficiency projects
that provide real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Minister Johnson also said that the methane gas
recovery initiative for Robin Hood Bay demonstrates the spirit and
intent of the trust fund, and she welcomes further innovative proposals
from environmental groups, businesses and the public that have broad
application for achieving greenhouse gas reductions.
In addition to the EcoAction Trust funding, the
Provincial Government announced $850,000 in Budget 2008 to fund climate
change and energy efficiency initiatives. Included in this are grants to
support organizations in their climate change outreach efforts; funding
to update the Climate Change Action Plan; as well as funding for year
one of a three-year, $2 million Green Fund to help support projects and
feasibility studies that contribute to energy efficiency and greenhouse
gas reductions.
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