Landfill rules could make energy projects cheaper

KIMBALLTOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A recently signed Michigan law could make it less costly to expand the use of the bioreactor technology to generate energy from landfills. The Times Herald of Port Huron reports the technology has been used at the Smiths Creek Landfill in St. Clair County's Kimball Township. It captures gases from decomposing garbage and burns them to generate electricity. The new law was signed Nov. 10 by Gov. Rick Snyder. It eliminates a requirement for a secondary liner at landfill projects that are used for research, demonstration and development. Michigan's double liner requirement had been tougher than federal rules. Landfill manager Matt Williams said monitoring has showed one liner was enough. Hal Newnan, chairman of the Southeast Michigan Group of the Sierra Club, said removing safeguards wasn't a good idea. Published: Mon, Nov 28, 2011