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.