“Waste-to Energy in the Pacific Northwest” Damon M.K. Taam Spokane Regional Solid Waste System N.W. Clean Energy Allian

1. “Waste-to Energy in the Pacific Northwest” Damon M.K. Taam Spokane Regional Solid Waste System N.W. Clean Energy Alliance October 5, 2011

2. Damon M.K. Taam • Born in Honolulu, Hawaii • B.S. Civil Engineering from Gonzaga University • 30+ years experience in Waste to Energy • Manager – Spokane Regional Solid Waste System • Served Spokane in roles of Director, Asst. Director and System Contracts Manager • Consults with City of Beijing, China; New Zealand & other governments

3. National MSW Perspective • In 2009, Americans generated 243 million tons of MSW, or about 4.3 lbs/person/day. • 33.8% is recovered, recycled or composted. • 7-11.9% is combusted. • 54.3-59.2% is landfilled.

4. WTE National Perspective • USA – Needs a dramatic increase in it’s use of Clean, Renewable Energy. • WTE – One of the most Environmentally protective sources of Renewable Energy. • Largely untapped resource in the US – Only 11.9% of the MSW is directed to WTE while 54.3% is landfilled. • USA has 87 WTE Facilities, +600 facilities in the other nations. • WTE utilized in environmental conscience countries, ie. Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden

5. WA State - MSW Perspective • In 2009, WA generated 6.84 lb/person/day. • WA recycled 3.05 lbs/person/day. • WA disposed of 3.89 lbs/person/day or 4,775,887 tons. • Only 277,101 tons or 5% were combusted. • 95% of the remaining waste was landfilled. • 1 Ton of MSW = 1 Barrel of Oil

6. Spokane Rationale for WTE- Environmental • Sole Source Aquifer • 4 – Superfund Landfills polluting ground water • Desire to Control Future Liabilities • Desire to expand local alternatives to Landfilling • Implemented Integrated Solid Waste Management

7. WTE Operational Advantages • Flexibility • Revenue from Energy Sales • Permanent Infrastructure • Local Renewable Energy Source • Reliable Local Disposal Option • No Long Haul Transportation Expense • Local Skilled Jobs!!!

8. WTE Environmental Advantages • Sustainable • Less Environmental & GHG Impact • Destruction of Harmful Materials • Destruction vs. Storage • Energy generator vs. Energy user • Increases Recycling Rate • Less Travel Impacts

9. Dispelling the Myths • WTE does not compete with recycling and avoidance efforts. • WTE does not utilize a supplemental fuel to maintain the fire. • WTE are not incinerators of the past. They are clean and efficient power plants. • WTE generates a net electrical output of 500-600 KWh/ton of MSW. • WTE is clean renewable energy.

10. Spokane Waste To Energy Facility

11. Spokane Regional Waste to Energy Facility

12. Owned by City of Spokane Operated by Wheelabrator Spokane Inc. Services Greater Spokane Area – 450,000 people Financed with 22 year Revenue Bonds & WDOE Referendum 26/39 Grants Start-up September 6, 1991 Spokane Waste to Energy Facility

13. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility • Construction Cost: $ 110,000,000 (1989) • Site Size – 32 Acres • Time to Construct – 22 months • Guaranteed capacity of 248,200 tons/year • 20 year contract for full service with municipal ownership • 20 year Escalating Energy Purchase Agreement • Wheeling of electricity across state

14. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility • Mass-Burn Facility - 2 units @ 400 Tons/Day each • Von Roll reciprocating grates • B&W Waterwall Boilers • Operation - 24hrs/day, 7 Days/week • Combustion temperature - 2500ºF+ • 90% Volume reduction, 70% Weight reduction

15. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility • Air Pollution Control Equipment • Acid Gas Dry Scrubber • Fiberglass/Gore-Tex Bag House • Thermal DeNox System • Powdered Activated Carbon Injection • Continuous Emission Monitoring System

16. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility Energy Production • High pressure/High temperature steam – 900 psi @ 830ºF • Turbine/Generator conversion • Electric power generation • Generation capacity – 26 megawatts (net generation equivalent to 13,000 homes) • Customer – Puget Energy Inc.

17. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility 2010 STATISTICS • 279,642 Tons Processed • 171,142 MWh Produced • 141,489 MWh Sold • $12,556,637 (electrical sales)

18. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility Total Lifetime Statistics • 5.28 million tons processed • 2.89 billion kWh produced • 180,100 tons ferrous metal recycled Totals as of 12/31/2010

19. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility Emissions • Emissions from USA WTE Facilities decreased by a factor of 12 after new MACT was implemented. • Total emissions decreased by over 94%. • Dioxins/Furans emissions declined more than 99% TEQ (Total of all facilities: 18 lbs to less than ½ an ounce). • Unable to measure impacts in surrounding background levels. • Spokane has lead the way with one of the cleanest Facilities in the Country.

20. Spokane Waste to Energy Facility

21. Environmental Benefits Reducing Greenhouse Gas Impacts • Waste-to-Energy Provides a Net Greenhouse Gas Benefit • Eliminates Methane Emissions from Landfills • Offsets Fossil Fuel Energy with Biomass • Net zero emissions • Recovers and Recycles Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals in MSW

22. Greenhouse Gas Impact

23. Spokane Tipping Fees 2011 Tipping Fee: Garbage - $98.00/ton Yard Waste - $35.00/ton Assured Burn/Special Handling - $165.00/ton Unloading Services - $75.00/hour

24. Solid Waste reasons for WTE • Need for Long Term Sustainable Solution for Future Generations. • Destroy Hazardous Waste Compounds in MSW, not store them. • Local Landfill sites – Undesirable and Limited. • Can not recycle it all, next environmental step in Solid Waste Management.

25. Energy reasons for WTE? • Not Waste Energy Potential in MSW. • Need for local renewable energy. • District Heating System – Cogenerate steam and electricity. • Rail Infrastructure Limited – Use for Goods, not Waste • Generate, not use energy in transporting and burying in the ground. • Energy Independence – Home Grown Energy

26. Spokane Regional Solid Waste System Damon M.K. Taam Spokane Regional Solid Waste System (509) 625-6580 dtaam@spokanecity.org