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produces methane, CH4, and carbon dioxide CO2, commonly called <br /> landfill gas. As the gas accumulates in the landfill, it builds up <br /> pressure. It takes the path of least resistance to escape and thus <br /> seeks the atmosphere that is at a lower pressure. Some LFG goes <br /> through the surface of the landfill and some may migrate <br /> horizontally through adjoining soil. Migrating gas may go into the <br /> atmosphere, structures or underground vaults and cavities . <br /> Methane has become an environmental concern. Besides being a <br /> threat to public health and safety, methane is a greenhouse gas . <br /> Many think it may be a significant contributor to the destruction <br /> of the earth' s ozone layer. This in turn, causes global warming. <br /> Countries around the world have committed to controlling emissions <br /> of methane . Collecting and destroying methane in landfills is a <br /> specific objective of the United States ' CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION <br /> PLAN. An objective of the PLAN is to destroy LFG in prime movers <br /> and generating electricity. This plan is the United States' <br /> response to the 1992 EARTH SUMMIT meeting in Rio de Janeiro, <br /> Brazil . The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a <br /> Global Warming Division devoted to encouraging development of LFG <br /> to electrical energy projects. <br /> THE PROJECT <br /> Extraction wells will be drilled into the landfill at North County <br /> to capture the LFG. A series of headers (pipes) connects the wells <br /> and brings the LFG to a central point at the engine-generator and <br /> flare station. A buried gas transmission line along Harney Lane <br /> will bring gas from the Harney Lane landfill to same central point. <br /> Harney Lane has a collection system and flare. <br /> A blower at the new flare station at North County, applies a vacuum <br /> on the headers and wells at North County. By applying a vacuum on <br /> the wells, LFG flows into the wells rather than migrating to the <br /> atmosphere. The engines will use all available gas with a <br /> sufficient heating value. If there is more gas than the engines' <br /> jrk:10-28-96 2 of 3 <br />