Kent County Bioenergy Facility, LLC, a subsidiary of Anaergia Inc., has been awarded a U.S. $5 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission in order to support the development of the Kent County bioenergy facility.
The project, which is underway in partnership with the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW), is designed to increase recycling, reduce Kent County's dependence on landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and produce carbon-negative renewable fuel.
The total cost to implement the overall project is estimated to be approximately $380 million. The grant from the State of Michigan is an important step in advancing this potential project.
Michigan's Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grants are given to projects that develop low-carbon energy infrastructure and help move the state toward carbon neutrality.
"Kent County has a real opportunity to create a better world for future generations by building the Kent County bioenergy facility and sustainable business park," said Dar Baas, director at the Kent County Department of Public Works. "Thank you to the Michigan Public Service Commission for recognizing the importance of this project in helping achieve Kent County's landfill diversion goals."
Kent County Bioenergy Facility is designed to help Kent County reach its goal of diverting 90 percent of trash from the local landfill by 2030. The facility is expected to initially divert over 50 percent of municipal solid waste while reducing methane emissions by recovering organic material in the waste and converting it into renewable natural gas and fertilizer. Non-degradable recyclable materials otherwise destined for a landfill would also be reclaimed.
"Over 40 percent of what is landfilled in the U.S. creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is responsible for at least 30 percent of global warming to date – so projects like the one being developed by Kent County Bioenergy Facility will do no less than help save the planet," said Brett Hodson, CEO of Anaergia. "We are grateful that the Michigan Public Service Commission has provided these funds to help make this project happen, and we commend Kent County DPW for leading the way and 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. 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 2023. The project would then go to the full Kent County Board of Commissioners for review and approval. If approved, the bioenergy facility project could be fully operational by early 2027.
