Interesting news in RI from National Grid

Our show this week with Nat from Newport Biodiesel will talk a lot about alternative fuels.  Good timing.  This just in from The Providence Journal:  

National Grid agrees to buy power from biogas facility planned for R.I. Central Landfill

Here is the link:  http://www.projo.com/news/environment/content/ORBIT_BIOGAS_06-27-11_JVOQ15K_v28.43c8e.html

Some of the story:  

 "A developer is on the verge of tapping into a new source of renewable energy in Rhode Island with a plan to build a facility at the Central Landfill that would generate electricity using gas from decomposing food.

National Grid has agreed to buy power from Orbit Energy’s biogas facility for 9.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2013, the first year of operation. The price would increase 2 percent annually. The 15-year agreement was filed with the Public Utilities Commission late Wednesday and is awaiting approval.

 

 

 

Although National Grid is required to sign long-term contracts for renewable energy, it had already met its obligation under state law when it signed the agreement with the Raleigh, N.C.-based Orbit a month ago. Jennifer Brooks Hutchinson, senior counsel for National Grid, said the utility was attracted to Orbit’s proposal because of the relatively low price and its use of new technology"

We will do a show on this story.  Brings up many aspects of the business side of green, very much focused on the economics behind making biofuel development, and use of waste into energy, in RI and all other states.  Obviously, a wonderful benefit is removing waste from an overflowing landfill.

I know RI has worked on this for many years, only to be turned back by the costs of the plant and/or energy costs.  Our congratulations to National Grid and Orbit for making this work.

How is your state doing on alternative energy production?