Project type: Methane destruction
Location: Waterloo, New York
Offset Vintage: 2015
Standard: American Carbon Registry

This project, in Waterloo, NY, voluntarily captures landfill gas (composed primarily of the greenhouse gas methane) and converts it into a reliable source of electricity. This project prevents methane generated at the landfill from entering the atmosphere.

Owned and operated by Waste Connections of Canada, the system has more than five miles of piping, interconnecting 413 landfill gas (LFG) extraction wells to the central control system, which converts the LFG to over 18 megawatts of electricity, enough to power over 20,000 homes and businesses.  Any excess landfill gas is flared, reducing non-methane organic pollutants by 98 percent.

In addition to the landfill gas-to-energy project, Seneca Meadows has a LEED certified education center and a wetlands preserve, which is home to over 215 species of birds, including endangered species. Typical wetland mitigation requires 3:1 ratio of new wetlands to developed wetlands, but Seneca Meadows dedicated over 8 times the required wetland acreage. This included the development of 419 new wetland acres, and the enhancement of 157 acres of existing woodland wetlands – to create a public access preserve with over 7 miles of trails.

The landfill has received the Solid Waste Association of North America’s “Landfill Management Excellence Award,” has been awarded the “Seneca County Business of the Year,” has received the Donald T. Colvin Conservation Award from the Montezuma Audubon Center for its outstanding service and continuing vigilance in the preservation and enhancement of the environment, and also received a U.S. Congressional Proclamation for its commitment to preserve and protect the environment.