Pierce County became the latest major player on Washington State’s clean energy front during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning to mark the completion of a new $14 million methane gas conversion site in Graham, Wash.
The facility, which is located at the 168-acre LRI Landfill and is a partnership between Waste Connections and BioFuels Washington, captures methane generated by decomposing garbage at the landfill and converts it to useable compressed natural gas that is purchased by Puget Sound Energy and used to produce electricity. The plant officially opened on Dec. 23, 2013, and produces enough electricity to support 3,375 area homes annually. At its maximum production, the facility is expected to produce enough electricity to power more than 10,000 homes per year.
“Washington State has always been a place of innovation and partnership,” said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, who joined local officials — including Pierce County Councilmembers and Tacoma City Councilmembers — on a guided tour of the new facility. “This facility is another example of what we can accomplish together through public and private partnerships to provide for future generations.”
The new methane gas conversion facility at the LRI Landfill in Pierce County. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
The new methane gas conversion facility at the LRI Landfill in Pierce County. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee (second from right) joined officials from Pierce County, BioFuels Washington, and Waste Connections to mark the completion of a new methane gas conversion facility in Graham, Wash. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of a new methane gas conversion facility at the LRI Landfill in Pierce County. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
BioFuels Washington Managing Director Frank Mazanec speaks during a tour of a new methane gas conversion facility at the LRI Landfill in Pierce County. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
BioFuels Washington Managing Director Frank Mazanec (far right) discusses a new methane gas conversion facility at the LRI Landfill in Pierce County with (from left to right) Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Waste Connections Division Vice President John Rodgers, and Tacoma City Councilmember David Boe. (PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
