The Detoit News wrote an editorial today that urges the Detroit City Council to renew its contract and continue to utilize waste-to-energy to manage the 3,000 tons per day of trash that the city sends to the facility.  The paper urged the city to "weigh the facts" and consider that the waste-to-energy facility "is the cleanest alternative" for managing the city's trash.  The paper also relies on insights from Professor Nicholas Themelis of Columbia University to show why waste-to-energy is a superior choice for protecting the environment.

According the editorial board, "continuing to burn the city's garbage is the best choice for the environment, and for taxpayers."  The Energy Recovery Council couldn't agree more.

Covanta Energy's Marion (OR) waste-to-energy facility has earned "STAR" status in the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Occupational Safety and Health Division Voluntary Protection Program (Oregon OSHA VPP).  VPP "STAR" status is the highest honor given to worksites with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. In awarding this elite status, OSHA gives strong consideration to the level of employee involvement in on-site health and safety program development and to long-term management commitment and support.

The Energy Recovery Council today sent a a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and ranking member Joe Barton expressing its views on the draft American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.  In the letter, ERC identifies four specific items that must be addresssed to appropriately treat waste-to-energy as a climate-friendly, renewable energy source in federal legislation.

Following a trend in adding new waste-to-energy capacity, the Pope-Douglas waste-to-energy facility located in Alexandria, MN is set to expand its existing facility by adding a third boiler to increase waste capacity and energy output.  The expansion unit should satisfy the needs of Pope and Douglas counties until the years 2030 to 2035, according to the Pope/Douglas facility executive director Peter Olmscheid.   The Pope/Douglas facility joins a growing list of current waste-to-energy facilities that have chosen to expand.  In fact, it is the second expansion in Minnesota following the Olmsted County expansion currently under construction.  The Morris Tribune has a very informative article on the Pope/Douglas expansion and the reasons behind it.  As discussed in the article, it is important to note that the electricity generated at the facility qualifies as renewable energy under state law and can be used to help Minnesota reach its renewable electricity mandate of 25 percent by 2025. 

Time and again, news stories are popping up about local officials examining waste-to-energy as a tool to address many important issues at the local level.  The latest example is in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.  As their landfills begin to reach capacity and waste generation continues to rise, Starr and Hidalgo counties are exploring waste-to-energy as a means to manage their solid waste challenges, provide much needed energy, protect the environment, and create green jobs.  Jared Janes of The Monitor writes a very thorough article explaining the factors affecting the decision making of these two Texas counties.