The Land Gets Trashed
by PSU student Erin Atkins
The Landfill gas project is a win, win project. It provides energy for industrial production while reducing total air pollutant emissions. Dennis O'Neil, Metro
Methane gas pipes collect gas from decomposing garbage at the St. Johns Landfill. These pipes are within view of the Columbia Slough. Below, a skull and crossbones alert viewers to the dangers of "poison gas." Photos by Donna Sinclair
Methane gas is used to fire kilns at Ash Grove Cement Co., a lime production plant located approximately two miles away from the St. John's Landfill. The gas is drawn from the landfill and sent to power the kilns, reducing use of other power sources and potentially harmful emissions. The methane gas is like a free flowing river producing untapped potential energy. If not captured and used as an energy source, methane gas is emitted into the environment as a pollutant, contributing to global warming. Using the waste gas as an energy source benefits the Portland air. According to Metro, it has the same effect as removing 3,300 cars from the road or planting 7,100 acres of trees.
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