Co-op adds 154 MW of renewable methane power

From the left, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives President/CEO Duane Noland, Hoosier Energy Board Chairman Jim Weimer, Hoosier Energy President/CEO Steve Smith, Republic Services Environmental Manager Eric Dippon, and AIEC Sr. Vice President of Government Relations Don Wood cut the ribbon to the new 154 MW methane gas generating facility near Pontiac.
From the left, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives President/CEO Duane Noland, Hoosier Energy Board Chairman Jim Weimer, Hoosier Energy President/CEO Steve Smith, Republic Services Environmental Manager Eric Dippon, and AIEC Sr. Vice President of Government Relations Don Wood cut the ribbon to the new 154 MW methane gas generating facility near Pontiac.

Hoosier Energy, a generation and transmission co-op serving more than 300,000 co-op members in Indiana and Illinois, recently celebrated the official startup of the Livingston Renewable Energy Station at the Livingston Landfill – a 4,604-acre, Republic Services site just north of Pontiac.

The 154-megawatt generating facility will use methane gas from the landfill. “Landfill methane generation projects such as these are truly a winner for all concerned,” said company Board Chairman James Weimer who was joined by Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith.

Landfill gas occurs naturally from decomposing waste. Landfill generation projects help destroy this methane, a potent greenhouse gas and offset the use of other fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil. It also provides reliable 24/7 power that solar and wind energy can’t match.