[Press Release] : National renewable energy researcher speaking at Columbia biogas dedication

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2007

Contact: Columbia Water & Light
John Glascock, Interim Director Columbia Water & Light
Jay Hasheider, Energy Service Supervisor
(573) 874-7325
Public Works Department
Richard Wieman, Utility Manager
(573) 874-6290

National renewable energy researcher speaking at Columbia biogas
dedication

	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Columbia’s first large-scale renewable energy
project will be dedicated next week with the help of a representative
from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Dr. Stan Bull, the
executive director of Strategic Development, will speak about the
development of renewable energy on a national level. 
	The city of Columbia will dedicate the landfill gas-to-energy
project at the Columbia landfill on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. This
project will use the gas created when the waste decomposes to generate
2.1 megawatts of renewable energy. This would supply approximately 1.5
percent of Columbia’s energy use per year, which is the amount of
energy needed to power approximately 1,500 homes in Columbia. 
	The Columbia Biogas Energy Plant Project came in under budget
and ahead of schedule. The budgeted amount was $3 million and the
project cost $2.5 million. It was 
partially funded through a 2006 bond issue passed with overwhelming
public support.
	New Missouri legislation will increase Columbia’s landfill gas
production in the future so the Columbia plant was designed for
expansion. Senate Bill 54, passed by the State Legislature in 2007,
covered renewable energy issues. The new law allows yard waste to be
disposed in Columbia’s landfill because it is creating renewable
energy. This allowed Columbia to construct a bioreactor at the landfill.

	A bioreactor uses water to rapidly break down organic waste.
This accelerated decomposition process will produce more methane which
will create more renewable energy for Columbia. It is estimated that the
bioreactor will increase landfill gas production within five years. The
electric production is expected to grow to as much as 2.5 percent of
Columbia’s energy portfolio over the next five to 10 years. 

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