The Scottsboro Solid Waste Department will soon be converting waste to energy.

Methane gas will be collected from the Scottsboro Landfill and  converted into electricity.

Garbage in a landfill generates landfill gas after about two years of being in the landfill. Fifty percent of that gas is methane, according to Solid Waste Division Manager of CDG Engineers & Associates Daniel Wells.

Director of the Solid Waste Department Eddie Blizzard said, “This project has been in the works for almost three years and we are excited to finally start phase two of the operation.”

“Phase one of the operation began in January 2009 and involved the design of the project and acquisition of funding,” said Blizzard. “An Energy Efficient Grant was applied for and granted to fund the project.

Phase two of the operation involves the installation of the gas collection system,” stated Blizzard.

The gas collection system is comprised of twelve wells that are installed into the landfill and will collect the methane gas emitting from the waste.

The wells will vary in depths from 30-60 feet below ground and will  be connected by underground pipes.

“It will take about a month to complete the installation of the collection system,” said Blizzard.

Phase three of the operation, expected to begin in January 2011, will be the generating of electricity.

The City of Scottsboro has partnered with The North Alabama Electric Co-op and TVA for the purchase of the electricity.

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