Landfill methane powers prison generators

Jul 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Randy Griffith The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.

July 18--SOMERSET -- A new heating plant at State Correctional Institution-Laurel Highlands is a winner at several levels, state Corrections Secretary John E. Wetzel said Tuesday at the Somerset County facility.

The new system also generates more than enough electricity to power the state prison using methane gas created by decomposing material at nearby Mostoller Landfill.

"This event epitomizes what good government can be,"?Wetzel said during dedication ceremonies at the prison.

Wetzel credited the late Robert A. Calik with "thinking out of the box" to come up with the landfill gas solution to the prison's energy and pollution issues. The system replaces a 63-year-old, coal-powered boiler system that was cited for emissions violations.

Calik, a native of Johnstown, was director of operations for the Corrections Department, overseeing maintenance and development at prisons throughout Pennsylvania. He died in November 2008.

"When he looked at a problem, he looked for a solution not just for today, but for the future," Timothy Ringler, deputy corrections secretary, said during a ceremony dedicating the new plant to Calik's memory.

Methane is sent to the prison through a 4.7-mile pipeline from the landfill.?After scrubbing the methane to remove a silicon compound, the gas is used to power three electric generators, utilities supervisor Dan Buck said during a tour of the facility.

The generators have a combined capacity of about 6 megawatts, but it will be several years before the landfill "matures" enough to supply that much gas, Buck said. It takes only about 1.8 megawatts to run the prison, he said.

Surplus electricity is sold to First Energy, Penelec's parent company, by sending it into the power grid.

"We have been selling back about 40 megawatts a day," Buck said.

In addition, the gas is piped into a new steam boiler plant that supplies cooking, hot water and building heating needs throughout the prison complex.

The system should save state taxpayers more than $68 million in heating and electricity costs over the next 15 years, said Bob Steele of Johnson Controls Inc., equipment supplier.

"The savings will pay for the project," Steele said.

"If it doesn't, Johnson Controls will write a check for the difference. That's part of the contract."