Landfill power may cut electricity bills
BY MARY PERHAM GATEHOUSE MEDIA

BATH - Plans for the region's first garbage-generated electric plant could mean significant savings for the 5,600 members of the Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative.

SREC General Manager Richard Moyle said customers could save $60 per year, or the equivalent of one month's expenses.

The local utility was selected Friday, March 7, by Steuben County legislators to begin negotiations on setting up an electric plant at the county landfill. The company was picked out of a field of eight utilities and brokers submitting plans to convert methane gas into electricity.

The cooperative's headquarters is located in the village of Bath, but serves customers outside the village and scattered across the county in small communities, such as Howard, Addison and Lindley.

SREC is one of three electricity providers in the county, with the municipally owned Bath Gas, Electric and Water System serving the village of Bath. The majority of county residents are New York State Electric and Gas customers.

Under the initial agreement, SREC would set up electrical generators at the landfill. The utility would then sell the electricity for use in the Northeast.

The large generators operate on the same principles as emergency electrical generators for homes, Moyle said.

"Put gas in them, the pistons turn and make electricity," he said.

Preliminary figures indicate the utility would receive roughly 40 percent of the revenues, and split the remaining revenues with the county.

First year revenue projections estimate the utility will receive $1.4 million - $1.5 million, while the county takes in $597,000 - $675,000.

Public Works Commissioner Vincent Spagnoletti told the Legislature's Finance Committee final negotiations should begin soon, with only a few minor details left to discuss.

"We wanted their best shot and they gave it to us," Spagnoletti said later. "It was a very good offer."