50 likes | 149 Views
Texas Solid Waste Association of North America Denton & Garland Comments on Strawman Rule for Renewable Energy Goals. Michael Carleton Paul Gosselink. Basic Positions of TxSWANA and Denton & Garland.
E N D
Texas Solid Waste Association of North AmericaDenton & GarlandComments on Strawman Rule for Renewable Energy Goals Michael Carleton Paul Gosselink
Basic Positions of TxSWANA and Denton & Garland • Strongly encourage PUC to adopt rules that will encourage the development of all renewable resources, especially landfill gas and solar, as a way of improving energy security • The policy should promote those technologies which can provide cost-effective, environmentally sound alternatives to fossil fuels
Landfill Gas Background • Decomposition of waste results in the generation of a gas that has an energy value • Without control, these gases are emitted into the atmosphere and are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in Texas (21 times more harmful than CO2) • Control measures available include flaring, energy recovery through electric generation onsite or offsite, offsite industrial fuel or blending with natural gas
Benefits of Landfill Gas Technology • Significant reduction in emissions • Proven technology – 75 MW already in the system • Near potential is significant (EPA LMOP program projects that there is 170 MW available in Texas from 53 candidate sites if economic conditions were favorable, this rule can make this a tipping point for moving these projects forward) • Does not require new land to be developed • Close to markets so a CREZ won’t be required to bring to market • In comparison to other renewable resources it represents a low cost option for utilities to achieve the State’s renewable goal • Revenues in many cases will benefit local governments
TxSWANA, Garland and Denton Recommendations • Make landfill gas to energy projects a Tier 1 resource while maintaining the ability of solar to benefit from this classification as well • Environmental benefits • Economic benefits • TxSWANA, Garland and Denton supports Centerpoint’s comments