Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $15 million Tuesday to the company that plans to expand its landfill gas-to-electricity generation facility at Rhode Island's Central Landfill in Johnston.

Rhode Island LFG Genco, an affiliate of Ridgewood Renewable Power, has a contract to spend $80 mllion expanding its facility into the second largest one in the U.S. that generates electricity by burning methane gas from a landfill.

"This is a smart investment that will make a significant contribution to the state's renewable energy targets and is estimated to reduce CO2 output by nearly 165,000 tons per year," U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said in a statement. Rhode Island's congressional delegation made a joint announcement of the award. It was among $150 million awarded by the energy department.

Michael O'Connell, executive director of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Authority, said Ridgewood has been busy designing the expanded plant and obtaining the necessary permits. He said it expects to start construction in the spring.

 Tags  Johnston RI renewable energy Rhode Island LFG Genco Rhode Island Resource Recovery Authority

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