When solid waste decomposes in a landfill, gas is produced. This gas is composed of methane and carbon dioxide. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that damages the earth's atmosphere. DTE Biomass Energy (DTEBE) captures the methane in landfills and abandoned coalmines and converts it into a renewable source of energy that can generate steam, electricity, fuel for industrial processes or pipeline quality gas. |
Environmental and Economic Sense
Of America's 7,000 landfills, nearly 400 have gas-to-energy projects and another 600 are ready to be harvested. Clearly, the energy potential from landfills is still underutilized. Since 1995 DTEBE projects have replaced more than 17 million barrels of foreign oil. That benefits the environment, the landfill owner and the nation.
