Kent County bioenergy facility, a subsidiary of Anaergia, has been awarded a US$5m grant from the Michigan public service commission in support of developing its project in partnership with the Kent County department of public works (DPW). The project is designed to increase recycling, reduce Kent County’s dependence on landfills, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and produce carbon-negative renewable fuel.
The total cost to implement the overall project is currently estimated to be approximately $380m. The low carbon energy infrastructure enhancement and development grants from the Michigan state are steps in advancing the project, and are given to projects that develop low carbon energy infrastructure that help move the state towards carbon neutrality.
“Kent County has [the] opportunity to create a better world by building the Kent County bioenergy facility and sustainable business park, helping achieve [its] landfill diversion goals,” said Dar Baas, director at the Kent County DPW.
Kent County bioenergy facility, planned as the anchor tenant at the sustainable business park, is designed to help Kent County reach the goal of diverting 90% of trash from the local landfill by 2030. The facility is expected to initially divert over 50% of municipal solid waste while reducing methane emissions by recovering organic material in the waste and converting it into renewable natural gas and fertiliser. Non-degradable recyclable materials would also be reclaimed.
“Over 40% of what is landfilled in the US creates methane, a potent GHG that is responsible for at least 30% of global warming to date — so projects like [this] will help save the planet,” said Brett Hodson, Anaergia CEO. “We commend Kent County DPW for serving as a scalable model for counties around the country to follow.”
This facility is designed to help reduce Kent County’s dependence on landfills and put west Michigan as a national leader in recycling, reducing waste, and curbing GHG emissions from landfills. The project is also expected to create jobs and attract investment from companies that can convert waste into usable products.
The Kent County DPW anticipates requesting approval from the Kent County board of public works to move forward with the Kent County bioenergy facility project in July. The project would then go to the full Kent County board of commissioners for review and approval. If approved, the Kent County bioenergy facility project could be fully operational by early 2027.
