Overview
Kiefer Landfill is a 9 MW biomass power plant in Sacramento County, California, owned by Sacramento County Department of Waste. It converts landfill gas into electricity, supporting local renewable energy goals.
Kiefer Landfill is a biomass power plant located in Sacramento County, California, United States. With a capacity of 9 MW, it operates as a small-scale facility within the biomass sector, utilizing landfill gas as its primary fuel source. The plant is owned by the Sacramento County Department of Waste and is currently operational. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As a landfill gas-to-energy plant, it benefits from emissions standards that encourage renewable energy while controlling air pollutants. The technology typically involves internal combustion engines or gas turbines to generate electricity from captured methane. Kiefer Landfill plays a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by converting methane from waste decomposition into electricity, rather than allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. This contributes to California's renewable energy portfolio and local grid stability. The plant's small scale and fuel source make it a niche but valuable component of the region's energy infrastructure.
Environmental context
The plant's use of landfill gas as fuel reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, while generating electricity. Its location in Sacramento County, a region with growing urban development, means it supports waste management and renewable energy goals. The facility's small capacity limits its overall environmental footprint, but it aligns with state policies promoting renewable energy and landfill gas utilization.
Frequently asked questions
Kiefer Landfill is located in Sacramento County, California, United States.
Kiefer Landfill is a biomass power plant that generates electricity from landfill gas.
Kiefer Landfill has a capacity of 9 megawatts (MW).
Biomass power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS and emission standards for pollutants like SOx and NOx. Landfill gas plants also follow EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program guidelines.
Landfill gas power generation captures methane from waste decomposition, preventing its release into the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also provides a renewable energy source.