Expanding Loudoun County’s Clean Energy Potential: Embrace the Power of Plasma Gasification

By Kwasi Fraser

I would like to express my appreciation for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ efforts in adopting the 2023 Loudoun County Energy Strategy, which undoubtedly holds great promise for our community. However, I find the recent decision by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to explore landfill gas (LFG) as an energy source lacking the innovation and urgency that the energy strategy demands. 

Allow me to propose an alternative solution that not only aligns with our goals, but also presents an opportunity to lead the way in clean energy transition.

Over a year ago, I had the privilege of sharing my vision with a few members of the Board of Supervisors, outlining a plan to transform a portion of the Loudoun County landfill into a cutting-edge clean hydrogen generating facility. 

A Request For Information was issued by the County following my clean hydrogen proposal.  The proposed facility would utilize biogenic waste as a feedstock to produce hydrogen through plasma gasification technology, a process already being deployed in Lancaster County, California. 

By replicating this approach here, we can achieve remarkable results. The plasma gasification technology that I propose offers several compelling advantages. First and foremost, it operates without combustion, effectively eliminating the emission of greenhouse gases. 

This means that the hydrogen produced has a negative carbon intensity, removing greenhouse gas emissions from the Earth and serving as a carbon sink. By gasifying waste, this process eradicates the potent greenhouse gas methane from the ecosystem, further contributing to our environmental goals.

Additionally, the plasma gasification plant operates as a closed-loop system, converting waste feedstocks into reusable gas while eliminating emissions of pollution, carcinogens, sulfur dioxides, and nitrogen oxides. 

The California Air Resources Board, recognized as the state’s leading governmental agency in carbon emissions matters, has determined that the carbon emissions from this process are not additive, as the carbon is not new but rather recycled from the existing ecosystem. Unlike traditional approaches that involve digging up fossil fuels, my proposed solution reuses carbon already present in the environment, significantly reducing overall emissions.

Crucially, the hydrogen generated by this process would find a ready market among the data centers in Loudoun County, one of our region’s key customers. By capitalizing on this opportunity, we can create a sustainable energy ecosystem that serves our local needs while setting an example for others to follow.

In contrast, the proposed landfill gas (LFG) solution, while familiar and widely used, has its limitations. It captures only 40% of the LFG, allowing the rest to leak into the atmosphere. With methane accounting for half of the LFG and the remaining half comprising CO2, the landfill emits more CO2 than the reported 75 tons per year. Moreover, the projected return on investment (IRR) for the $25 million investment remains low due to insufficient power purchase agreement (PPA) rates and overall process inefficiencies.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, landfills contribute significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, during waste decomposition. By diverting 40,000 tons of biogenic waste from landfills, my proposed plasma gasification plant could reduce methane emissions by approximately 75,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) per year. This calculation assumes an average methane generation rate of 60 cubic meters per ton of waste and a methane conversion factor of 25.

Moreover, landfills impose tipping – gate – fees for waste disposal, with costs varying based on location and waste type. As per the Waste Business Journal, the average tipping fee for municipal solid waste in the United States was $53 per ton in 2020. By diverting 40,000 tons of waste from landfills, we could save approximately $2.12 million per year in landfilling costs alone.  

Additionally, the plasma gasification plant would significantly reduce the need for landfill space, leading to substantial savings in landfill space rental costs in areas across the country where space is rented. Assuming a conservative estimate of $20 per cubic yard for landfill space rental, we can estimate an additional annual saving of approximately $0.88 million, resulting in a total estimated annual savings of $3 million.

If the Board of Supervisors truly believes in the urgency of the present moment, it is imperative that they take bold actions and apply for a fraction of the billions of dollars allocated to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. By seizing this opportunity, Loudoun County can spearhead the clean energy transition and demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable future.

Let us embrace the power of plasma gasification, a groundbreaking technology that not only addresses our energy needs but also mitigates environmental concerns. By investing in this innovative solution, we can unlock the full potential of clean energy and create a lasting positive impact for our community and beyond.

Kwasi Fraser served as mayor of Purcellville from July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2022 and represented the town on the National League of Cities’ Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and was appointed by EPA Administrator Michael Regan to the EPA Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee.