Bill Would Allow Landfills to Brew Methane From Yard Clippings
Lansing, MI—It’s been a busy week in the Michigan capital as the House Energy and Technology Committee is debating a bill that would change the current yard waste landfill ban. The proposed bill would allow landfills to collect yard clippings for methane gas energy harvesting purposes. Debate on both sides of this bill has been taking place this week. Our very own JD Lindeberg (RRS Principal and CFO) added testimony in opposition to the bill adding support to the testimonies of Kerrin O’Brien (Michigan Recycling Coalition’s Executive Director), Gary Melow (Michigan Biomass Director), Ted Barrett (Mid-Michigan Recycling) and Fred Thompson (Indian Summer Recycling).
As the committee heard testimony this week, JD shared his concerns that reversing this ban to harvest methane gas would do little to lower greenhouse gas emissions. A landfill would need to collect at least 95% of its methane gas to break even with emissions, but current technology only allows for 70% collection. As for what would happen to the current compost industry, JD additionally commented that this bill would put them right out of business. “The notion that this won’t put us out of business in the compost industry is ludicrous.”
RRS will continue to listen and watch the progress of this bill as it works itself through the Michigan legislation.