You asked whether any states are increasing the capacity of their waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities and if so, how much additional capacity is being added.

In 2007, Lee County, Florida opened a third combustion unit at its Fort Meyers facility, which is operated by Covanta Energy. The new unit increased the facility's disposal capacity by approximately 636 tons of municipal solid waste per day. The expansion increases the facility's generating capacity by 19 megawatts. The facility previously had two combustion units with a combined capacity of 1,200 tons per day/36 megawatts. The expansion project will cost approximately $105 million.

A similar expansion is under construction at the Hillsborough County, Florida WTE facility which serves metropolitan Tampa and is also operated by Covanta Energy. The expansion will increase the facility's disposal capacity from 1,200 to 1,800 tons per day and its generating capacity from 29 to 45 megawatts. The expansion is expected to be complete by late 2009, according to the county.

The York County (Pennsylvania) Solid Waste and Refuse Authority is planning to add a fourth combustion unit to its Manchester township facility. The facility is currently operated by the Montenay Power Corporation. The new unit will handle 600 tons per day, expanding the facility's disposal capacity by 44%, the electric generating capacity will expand by 16 to 18 megawatts. The state Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing the solid-waste permit application submitted by the county. Once that is reviewed, the department will review an air emissions permit application and health risk assessment. The authority anticipates that the new unit will become operational in 2011 and will cost at least $130 million. Further information about the expansion is available at www.ycswa.com/News%20Releases/RRC%20Expansion/index.htm.

According to Ted Michaels, president of the Integrated Waste Services Association, a WTE trade association, new or expanded waste-to-energy facilities are being considered in Frederick and Harford counties, Maryland, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and elsewhere.

KM:dw