Common Questions
What is the goal of this project?
To create a project which will provide production of alternative energy.
Why put this project in the proposed location?
Many factors were considered in the selection of the proposed site. First, the location being centrally located and accessible through the existing roadway network is a positive for siting the project in the proposed location. The size and configuration allow for many possibilities of resource recovery operations and related industry. The availability of rail service directly to the project allows for many opportunities for delivery of materials to the export of products.
Where does my trash go?
Currently, the majority of waste within Rush Township, Snow Shoe, and Snow Shoe Borough is collected by individual waste haulers and transported to the Centre County Solid Waste Authority Transfer Station. From the transfer station it is loaded on tractor trailers and trucked to the Shade Township Waste Management Landfill in Somerset County.
How many trains will bring trash to the ethanol facility each day?
It is anticipated that there will be 1 train per day utilizing baled and bagged municipal solid waste.
Why do you still need a landfill if you are building the ethanol facility to take the trash?
The ethanol facility will reduce the volume of waste by 80 percent. This residual material from the processing will need to be landfilled. The size of the landfill will not be very large because of this significant reduction in waste volume.
Will I smell the trash on the train and see leaking train cars?
All of the waste will be baled and bagged before being loaded onto the train cars at its' origination point. This system essentially envelopes the waste and suppresses the odor. Also, the rail cars are solid bottom gondola cars, so they do not leak and have a top on them which will also control odors.
What is the difference between Gasification versus Incineration?
Gasification does not burn municipal solid waste (MSW) it breaks the molecules apart with heat and a very small amount of oxygen and recombines them to form syngas; whereas incineration, burns up the MSW completely; reducing it to ash.
