Overview
SD CO OF PUB WKS VIEJAS LANDFILL is a waste-to-energy facility in Descanso, California, USA. It processes municipal solid waste and generates energy from landfill gas.
SD CO OF PUB WKS VIEJAS LANDFILL is a waste-to-energy plant located in Descanso, California, United States. The facility operates under the jurisdiction of San Diego County and serves the local region's solid waste management needs. As a landfill gas-to-energy project, it captures methane from decomposing waste to generate electricity, contributing to renewable energy production. The facility operates within the regulatory framework of the US EPA, including RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas emissions. California's stringent environmental standards further govern leachate management and air quality controls. The plant's NAICS code 562213 indicates it is classified under solid waste landfill operations with energy recovery. This waste-to-energy facility plays a dual role in waste diversion and renewable energy generation. By capturing landfill gas, it reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and provides a local source of electricity. The plant supports California's climate goals and circular economy initiatives by converting waste into a resource.
Environmental context
The facility is located in a rural area of Descanso, California, near the Cleveland National Forest. The region's Mediterranean climate with dry summers poses challenges for leachate management and groundwater protection. Landfill gas collection systems are critical to mitigate methane leakage, and proximity to natural habitats requires careful monitoring of air and water quality. Community concerns about traffic and odors are typical for such facilities.
Frequently asked questions
SD CO OF PUB WKS VIEJAS LANDFILL is located on Japatul Road, 1/2 mile south of Interstate 8, in Descanso, California, USA.
The facility processes municipal solid waste and captures landfill gas to generate electricity, making it a waste-to-energy plant.
The plant collects methane from decomposing waste in the landfill and uses it to fuel engines or turbines that produce electricity.
US landfills are regulated under RCRA Subtitle D for solid waste management and the Clean Air Act for landfill gas emissions. California has additional state-level requirements for air quality and leachate control.
These projects reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and generate renewable energy, displacing fossil fuel use and supporting climate goals.
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