Landfill Gas Beneficial Use Project

What Was the Challenge?

Steuben County’s Landfill accepts approximately 150,000 tons of waste annually, with a permitted daily intake of 850 tons. The County partnered with Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative (SREC) to develop a Landfill Gas-to-Energy (LFG-E) facility, which the County later purchased and mothballed. The challenge was to identify an alternative beneficial use for the landfill gas and evaluate various proposals based on criteria such as environmental benefits, economic returns, and technological feasibility to ensure the long-term value of the project.

How Did Barton & Loguidice Provide a Solution?

Barton & Loguidice assisted Steuben County with developing a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified landfill gas developers. B&L also supported the County through a thorough evaluation process, assessing five submitted proposals based on net revenue, environmental impact, job creation, financial capability, and operational benefits. B&L’s expertise allowed the County to identify the most suitable and innovative technology to maximize the landfill gas’s value. Ultimately, Waga Energy was selected to partner with the County, and both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to complete additional due diligence on the project. B&L continued to work with both the County and Waga Energy for permitting and engineering to allow for the commissioning of the facility to occur in early 2024.

Why Was This Project a Success?

Through a strategic partnership with Waga Energy, Steuben County successfully leveraged its landfill gas resource for long-term environmental and economic benefit. B&L’s guidance in the RFP development and proposal evaluation ensured a transparent and thorough selection process, allowing the County to secure an innovative solution. County Manager Jack Wheeler highlighted the project’s success, noting that the collaboration with Waga Energy will provide lasting regional benefits, aligning environmental stewardship with economic opportunity.