“Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-to- Energy in the United States” Ted Michaels President Energy Recovery Council March 10, 2010.

““Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-to-Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-to-Energy in the United States”Energy in the United States”

Ted MichaelsTed MichaelsPresidentPresidentEnergy Recovery CouncilEnergy Recovery CouncilMarch 10, 2010March 10, 2010

What is Waste-to-Energy?What is Waste-to-Energy?

Metal: 50 lbs

Power: up to 750 kWh

Ash: 10% of original volume

Municipal Solid Waste 1 ton

Waste-to-Energy is a specially designed energy generation facility that uses household waste as

fuel and helps solve some of society’s big challenges

Converting Waste Into Clean Renewable PowerConverting Waste Into Clean Renewable Power Helps Solve Three of the Nation’s 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-EnergyWaste-to-EnergyPlaying a Significant RollPlaying a Significant Roll

Renewable EnergyRenewable 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 ~¼ ton of coal or ~1 barrel of oil

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

Environmentally Sustainable Waste DisposalEnvironmentally Sustainable Waste Disposal

• EPA’s 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 CO2 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 FacilityWaste-to-Energy Facility

IN

100 cubic yardsof waste

OUT

10 cubic yardsof (inert) ash

90% volume reduction

Reducing the Volume of Waste & Saving Space in the Landfill while Generating Clean, Renewable Energy

13,000 KWh

generated

Environmental Performance Environmental Performance Waste-to-Energy Waste-to-Energy

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

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

Environmental Performance Environmental Performance Waste-to-EnergyWaste-to-Energy

Climate ChangeClimate ChangeFalse: “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 NotTed Michaels, Energy Recovery CouncilApril, 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-EnergyEnvironmental Performance of Waste-to-EnergyClimate ChangeClimate Change

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

CO2 from combustionof MSW

Fossil CO2 avoided byWTE power

Methane avoided byWTE

Net GHG factor

WTE Life Cycle Unit Operations

To

n C

O2e

/ t

on

MS

W

CO2 from the combustion

of biomass not counted as an emission

CO2 from the combustion

of plastics counted as an emission

Waste-to-Energy Waste-to-Energy is Compatible with Recyclingis 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 PerspectiveInternational Perspective

• EuropeEU Landfill Directive 65% reduction in landfilling of biodegradable Municipal Solid

WasteCurrently over 400 Waste-to-Energy Facilities2008 study estimated an additional 100 new facilities by 2012

• ChinaTarget 30% Waste-to-Energy by 2030Preferential feed-in electricity tariff

• Kyoto ProtocolRecognizes Waste-to-Energy as an eligible offset in CDM

protocol

• Davos Report—The World Economic ForumIdentifies eight emerging clean energy sectors including wind,

solar and Waste-to-Energy.

International PerspectiveInternational Perspective

Legislative RecognitionLegislative 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 AttractivenessWaste-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 Waste-to-Energy Growth OpportunitiesOpportunities

Greenfield Projects

Frederick County, MDHarford County, MDWest Palm Beach, FLLos Angeles, CAYork-Durham, ONChester County, SCElbert County, GACleveland, OHMilwaukee, WITaunton, MAFall River, MA

WTE Expansions

Lee County, FLHillsborough County, FLOlmsted, MNPope-Douglas, MNHonolulu, HIHempstead, NY

SummarySummary

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 MichaelsPresidentEnergy Recovery Council1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Suite 700Washington, DC 20036202-467-6240tmichaels@energyrecoverycouncil.orgwww.energyrecoverycouncil.org