“We’re proud to be working with Waste Management to offer our customers renewable energy that’s generated locally,” said Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE. “This type of innovation and ingenuity complements our intermittent renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, to put more pollution-free
power on the grid around the clock. Renewable technologies such as this landfill gas-to-energy plant help us achieve our mission to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while providing local economic and workforce benefits.”
The new plant turns landfill gas, which was previously flared, into electricity. Methane gas produced by Marin’s trash at the Redwood Landfill powers two reciprocating engines that constantly generate 3.9MW of electricity. It reflects Redwood Landfill and Waste Management’s commitment to sustainable practices.
“The plant demonstrates Waste Management’s investment not only in Marin County, it also underscores our dedication to finding environmentally sustainable solutions to our operations,” said Paul Pabor, Waste Management vice president of renewable energy. “Waste Management
estimates that this renewable energy power plant will eliminate 8,900 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.”
This is MCE’s third renewable energy project to come online in Novato. Other projects built in Marin County include solar locations at the San Rafael Airport, Cost Plus Plaza (Corte Madera), Cooley Quarry (Novato), and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (Novato). Combined, these four new solar projects supported 80 construction jobs—including union labor and local subcontractors—and generate 4 MW of renewable energy to power approximately 1,000 homes.
Redwood Landfill is home to the only covered, aerated static pile composting facility in the county, producing a natural fertilizer that is used for organic farming. The landfill recycles almost half of all materials brought to the facility, and it donated 180 acres of its property to the Marin Audubon Society for wetlands restoration.
Photo: provided by Waste Management
