An innovative green energy initiative called the "Green Energy Corridor" has been proposed in Fairfax County. It would be the first of its kind in the U.S., using a mix of renewable energy--solar, geothermal, wind, recovered methane gas, and potentially, thermal--to provide for the energy needs of county facilities located in the southern (Lorton) area of Fairfax County.

This Green Energy Corridor would be located just north of Occoquan Regional Park, between Route 123, Lorton Road, and Interstate 95 on land largely owned by Fairfax County. The initiative would repurpose existing and closed landfills to provide or capture renewable energy.

Key Elements

• The Green Energy Corridor would include the public and private sectors as well as the community. It would leverage existing assets, advance the county's renewable energy and environmental goals, and provide a model for municipal renewable energy programs.

• Initially, the renewable energy generated in the Green Energy Corridor would power the Lorton Arts Workhouse so it can operate off the electrical grid. The Lorton Arts Workhouse is home to almost 100 resident artists, an extensive arts education program, glass blowing operations, ceramic kilns, and numerous arts-related events.

• The initiative would serve as a pilot program to demonstrate its effectiveness and the feasibility for expanding the program to other county-owned facilities.

• It would reduce energy costs at county-owned facilities, fit with the Cool Counties program, and not require taxpayer funding.

• The project would extend the required closure date of an existing construction debris landfill and would obviate the need for a new construction debris disposal operation and its associated truck traffic, a major concern to neighboring communities.

• A successful program would rebrand the area as a community that hosts a nationally recognized model for renewable energy in an urban environment.

• Education kiosks at the Lorton Arts Workhouse would provide operating data and related information on the renewable technologies. This information would be available on the Internet for use by the general public as well as local schools.

The key partners for the Corridor include the Fairfax County Department of Public Works (DPW), Michigan Cogeneration, and EnviroSolutions Inc. (ESI). Their plans include the following:  

Solar panels on sloped terrain. Photo courtesy BC Consultants

Solar

Recently, DPW proposed establishing a 4-5 megawatt solar farm on its closed I-95 landfill, which would power the Lorton Arts Workhouse. Excess electricity could be sold on the electrical grid or used by other nearby county facilities.

Methane   

For twenty years, Michigan Cogeneration has operated a methane-to-electricity cogeneration plant at the closed I-95 landfill. This facility sells approximately 5-6 megawatts of electricity daily on the electrical grid. In addition, the plant supplies methane to the Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant for treatment.

ESI, the owner of a neighboring construction debris landfill, has proposed recovering methane gas from its landfill and transferring it to the cogeneration plant. The county would use the methane to generate electricity for the Workhouse, as needed.

Wind

Wind turbines at a Lancaster, PA, landfill. Photo courtesy of Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority

ESI also has plans to install a wind farm on top of its construction debris landfill. The site's height and proximity to the Potomac River are prime for capturing wind currents to operate wind turbines. The first phase will comprise three medium-sized turbines. Down the road, when the landfill is closed, nine additional turbines would be installed for a total capacity of 3 megawatts daily. ESI has also proposed installing a solar array on the southern slope of its landfill, adding another megawatt of capacity.

Geothermal

In addition, ESI would install a geothermal capture system inside the landfill to provide climate control for a proposed horticultural park on a nearby nine-acre tract of land. This park would be in lieu of a planned construction debris waste facility. The park would include community garden plots, an open-air pavilion, and greenhouses. The greenhouses would be heated by the nearby geothermal network located in the landfill and get electricity from on-site solar panels.

Waste to Energy (WTE)

Also in the Corridor is Covanta Energy, which operates the county's waste-to-energy facility. This facility handles all of the county's waste and generates more than 80 megawatts of electricity daily, which is sold on the electrical grid. In the future, depending on neighboring development, it may be feasible to capture thermal energy from this plant and convert it for heating and power needs.

Win Win

Rather than tap taxpayer funds, the Green Energy Corridor would contribute revenue to the county and/or reduce its expenses. The concept assumes public/private collaboration and uses existing and planned infrastructure. It's highly unusual to have the foundation for so many diverse renewable energy opportunities in a large metropolitan area.

At this stage, several stakeholders are engaged in developing the Corridor, including the local community, Mt. Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland, DPW, green energy and community garden advocates, the Lorton Arts Foundation, and the private companies. The Sierra Club is an important stakeholder in this community, and its input and support will make this environmental initiative a reality.

by Conrad Mehan  

Conrad Mehan is an employee of EnviroSolutions, Inc. (ESI)   

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Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities group of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. It organizes hikes and events year-round for the general public on behalf of the Sierra Club's Washington, DC, Chapter and the Maryland and Virginia Chapters' Washington-suburb groups. Volunteer leaders conduct the events, many of which include conservation, educational, or historical elements. For information about SCPRO and its upcoming events, visit the SCPRO Events website. To obtain a free calendar subscription, inquire about becoming a SCPRO outings leader, or get answers to other questions, write to info@sierrapotomac.org.

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The monthly meeting of The Great Falls Group's (GFG) Executive Committee is usually held on the second Monday of the month, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and is open to all Sierra Club members. Contact Linda Burchfiel for meeting times and location.

Officers:

Chair                   Linda Burchfiel            703-506-4310             linda@lburchfiel.com

Vice Chair            Chris Koerner             703-715-2204             cekoerner@verizon.net

Treasurer             Joe Apple                   703-860-1254             Joe.Apple@comcast.net

Secretary             volunteer wanted

Committee Chairs:

Chapter Delegate  Joe Apple                  703-860-1254             Joe.Apple@comcast.net

Conservation        Steve Bruckner           703-883-3622             sbruckner@cox.net

Membership         Norbert Pink               703-264-7445             norbertsierra@aol.com

Education            volunteer wanted

Political               Bob Pearson              703 690-3071             Bob_pearson@cox.net

Programs             volunteer wanted

Social                  Susan Bonney           703-821-5587             sbonney001@aol.com

Committee Support:

E-newsletter         Linda Brown                                               sc.greatfallsgroup@gmail.com

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The Cascade is published by the Great Falls Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. Beginning 2012, it is being published electronically. We reserve the right to edit all submissions, both editorial and advertisements. The views expressed are those of the authors and may not be those of the Sierra Club. Email articles, photos, questions, or comments to sc.greatfallsgroup@gmail.com.

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