NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of Reno County Commissioners unanimously approved a request to send out an RFP to harvest methane from the landfill at their May 30 meeting.
"Just for background, you'll recall that the landfill periodically receives interest from developers in capturing its methane for productive use and so to go through a formal and open process, the county staff recommend putting out this RFP," Patrick Hoffman, Reno County Counselor, said. "Just basically an announcement to any developer that's interested in potentially participating show us your ideas and show us how you'd use this, what you would do, how you'd do it."
The potential exists for methane naturally produced at the Reno County Landfill to be developed for beneficial use. Other landfills across the country have developed methane in this manner and there have been inquiries by developers regarding the Reno County Landfill.
The request for proposals will provide a transparent and open process for the county to consider a development proposal.
There are private residences adjacent to the landfill and Reno County is sensitive to any impacts that may affect nearby residences and that needs to be taken into consideration in any proposal.
"The RFP is kind of geared toward as little disruption to the neighborhood and the current landfill as possible, and really, what we're looking for is just ideas and proposals from people," Hoffman said. "There were some questions about technology that we'd like or wouldn't like, and really, we're just open to everyone give us your best ideas and we’ll look through them."
According to the supporting documents, the County’s purpose for this LFG project is to identify a Proposer who will:
1. Identify an end user who will beneficially use LFG.
2. Assume all operational duties of LFG management.
3. Comply with applicable regulatory (State and Federal) requirements.
4. Provide revenues to the County for the exclusive rights to the LFG.
Further, the county outlined that LFG conversion technologies proposed must have a proven record of operation with a minimum of three successful and current operations of commercial scale facilities in the United States.
The county expects that the proposer and development team must have a proven record of successful implementation and ongoing operation of a minimum of three commercial scale LFG conversion facilities in the United States.
"At the same time, if we don't like any of the ideas, the county is not obligated to enter into any kind of agreement," Hoffman said. "We're just kind of looking what's available, and then we'll proceed and present to you guys if there's something that we think looks potentially beneficial."
Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. Sept. 1.
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