Howard County officials have requested a permit from the state to operate an internal combustion engine that burns the methane gas from the Alpha Ridge landfill to generate electricity with investment at almost $4 million.
It is a fact that using internal combustion engines to produce electricity from landfill gas is more polluting than currently used flaring. Mercury, dioxins and furans are some of the most toxic chemicals known to science and are human carcinogens. Burning gas doesn't "destroy" it, but can change it into a different set of pollutants. Dioxin emissions cannot be measured when released by this internal combustion engine because they are at a temperature above the dioxin formation range, meaning that the dioxins will still be forming as the emissions cool down, after they leave the burner and are traveling in the air.
Howard County plans to operate this technology 24/7 with no provisions to monitor or test for accumulating toxic carcinogens in the air or ground after initial start up. Installing technology that can pollute air and ground cannot be a smart, safe investment.
The County Council should establish a hearing with residents to address their health and safety issues.
David Wanex
Woodstock