The Pope Douglas waste-to-energy facility in Alexandria, MN conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new third combustor at the facility.  Pete Olmscheid, executive director of the facility, noted that the actual groundbreaking is expected to take place the first week in May and that currently, preliminary work is being done. The project is expected to cost $20 million.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of April next year, which is when testing on the third combustor will begin. By the 1st of June 2011, it should be up and running, said Olmscheid. Currently, the existing plant can handle up to 120 tons of municipal solid waste per day – two units each are capable of 60 tons of MSW per day. The new combustor will be big enough to handle 120 tons of MSW per day by itself, which would double the facility’s current load. The expansion will satisfy the needs of communities for the next 20 to 25 years – until 2030 to 2035. The expansion will add approximately 10 green jobs at the facility.