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

1. “Burgeoning Prospects for Waste-to-Energy in the United States” Ted MichaelsPresidentEnergy Recovery CouncilMarch 10, 2010

2. 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 society’s big challenges Municipal Solid Waste 1 ton Power: up to 750 kWh Metal: 50 lbs Ash: 10% of original volume

3. Converting Waste Into Clean Renewable PowerHelps 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.

4. Waste-to-EnergyPlaying a Significant Roll

5. 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 ~¼ ton of coal or ~1 barrel of oil • A new 1,500 ton/day facility = 50 MW electricity

6. Environmentally 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

7. Waste-to-Energy Facility Reducing the Volume of Waste & Saving Space in the Landfill while Generating Clean, Renewable Energy 13,000 KWh generated 90% volume reduction OUT 10 cubic yards of (inert) ash IN 100 cubic yards of waste

8. Fact: “The performance of the MACT retrofit has been outstanding.” USEPA 8/10/2007 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

9. Environmental Performance Waste-to-EnergyClimate 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.

10. Environmental Performance of Waste-to-EnergyClimate Change

11. 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).

12. 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 Report—The World Economic Forum Identifies eight emerging clean energy sectors including wind, solar and Waste-to-Energy.

13. International Perspective

14. 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

15. Waste-to-Energy Attractiveness • Factors that are making local governments look at WTE: • Energy Prices • Metal Recovery • Renewable incentives • Net-GHG reducer • Long-term price stability • Control over waste stream

16. Waste-to-Energy Growth Opportunities WTE Expansions Lee County, FL Hillsborough County, FL Olmsted, MN Pope-Douglas, MN Honolulu, HI Hempstead, NY Greenfield Projects 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

17. Summary • Why are the Prospects for WTE Burgeoning in the United States? • Policymakers are looking for renewable energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. • Dependable and long-term solutions for municipal solid waste disposal remains a paramount concern for local governments. • Higher energy revenues, metals recovery, renewable incentives, and decades of operational efficiency have made waste-to-energy more cost-competitive. • High price of transportation fuel coupled with increased distance to new landfills makes landfilling more expensive.

18. 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