CITY OF FARGO – LANDFILL GAS RESOURCE

The City of Fargo operates a regional solid waste disposal facility (Fargo Landfill) that accepts municipal solid waste, non-hazardous industrial and commercial solid waste, construction and demolition debris, sewage sludge (biosolids) from the Fargo wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and small amounts of special waste such as incinerator ash and asbestos. The Fargo Landfill is permitted by, and in compliance with, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDH) solid waste management rules. The Fargo Landfill has operated a progressively expanding landfill gas (LFG) extraction system since June 2003. As of January 22, 2007, the Fargo Landfill had 32 LFG wells in place with additional wells to be constructed as the site develops.

LFG is classified as a medium-BTU gas with a heating value of 350 to 600 BTU per cubic foot, approximately one-half that of natural gas. Landfill gas can often be used in place of conventional fossil fuels in certain applications. It is a reliable source of energy because it is generated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A thorough discussion of the basics of LFG generation is provided in Appendix A. The value and reliability of LFG prompted the City of Fargo to contract to provide a local business, Cargill with LFG to supplement their fuel requirements. As the Fargo Landfill continues to expand this valuable resource will continue to be captured.