Landfill Gas
Three Rivers’ Advanced Gas Collection System Explained
Landfill Gas to Energy Facility
Turning Waste into Energy
Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority installed a landfill gas collection system in March 2007 and completed a 15.8 mile pipeline to a local industry for use in boilers in April 2008. This pipeline is the second longest ever constructed in the United States.
As solid waste decays, bacteria in the environment breaks down the waste and produces landfill gas. This gas is composed of about 50% Methane, 30% Carbon Dioxide, and 20% other compounds including nitrogen and a trace amount of oxygen.
The Authority installed Phase 1 of the Landfill Gas Collection and Control System in March 2007. This system includes 23 horizontal wells and 1 vertical well. These wells are attached to a header system and blower that actively extracts landfill gas from the wells. Gas is flared when not being used by the industrial customer. The collection system has been expanded to its current system of over 150 gas wells and a large integrated header system that works to collect the maximum amount of landfill gas to be converted into clean energy.
In April 2008, the Authority began compressing and drying the Landfill Gas and piping it 15.8 miles to a local industry for use in their industrial boiler. The collection and compression system was computer controlled and monitored continuously to ensure maximum gas utilization and environmental compliance.
In early 2024, the Authority entered into an agreement with Morrow Energy LLC to construct and operate a Renewable Natural Gas facility on site. This facility will convert landfill gas into clean natural gas quality energy for use by local industry and other natural gas consumers. The facility will become operational in 2025 and will provide clean natural gas energy for use by current and future generations.
Gas Pipeline Public Awareness Program
Understanding TRSWA’s Landfill Gas Pipeline to Beech Island
Our goal is to provide safe, reliable landfill gas service to Kimberly Clark and ensure the safety of people living and/or working near our gas pipeline. The pipeline originates at TRSWA landfill and runs northwest ending at the Kimberly Clark Beech Island Plant.
Understanding Pipelines
A network of 2 million miles of gas pipelines exists in the United States. These pipelines quietly, reliably, and efficiently deliver gas throughout the country for domestic and industrial use. Gas pipelines are among the safest methods of transporting energy. TRSWA operates an underground landfill gas pipeline that serves Kimberly Clark for manufacturing use. More information, including location, can be obtained from the National Pipeline Mapping System’s website, www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov, or by contacting TRSWA.
We ask you to review this information, share it with others and we hope that you:
- Understand the purpose of the pipeline
- Understand the potential pipeline hazards and preventive measures for safe pipeline operations
- Know how to work around pipelines
- Are able to identify pipelines
- Are able to recognize a landfill gas leak
- Understand steps to take in case of an emergency
Preventative Measures
TRSWA performs the following preventative efforts to maintain pipeline safety:
- Inspect mains during excavation
- Monitors and patrols pipeline surface conditions for hazards to the pipeline
- Inspects below ground emergency valves regularly
- Uses leak detection equipment to detect whether a leak exists on the pipeline
- Regularly inspects and maintains equipment
How To Recognize A Pipeline Leak
- Fire or explosion near a pipeline
- Smell for an unusual odor
- Listen for hissing or roaring sound
- Discoloration of vegetation in close proximity to pipeline
- Unusual blowing of dirt or dust
- Persistent bubbles in water
IF YOU SUSPECT A LEAK, CALL 1-855-418-7010
What Is A Pipeline Emergency?
A pipeline emergency is any of the following:
- Fire or explosion near or directly involving a pipeline or pipeline facility
- A leaking pipeline
- A damaged or weakened pipeline
- A natural disaster affecting the pipeline such as an earthquake, flood, or soil erosion
In Case Of A Pipeline Emergency?
Procedures to follow during a pipeline emergency are:
- Immediately walk away
- Warn others to stay away or leave the area
- Do not expose the area to open flames, cell phones, pagers, motor vehicles, or any other item that may ignite the gas
- From a safe location contact TRSWA at 1-855-418-7010
IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 911
Integrity Management
TRSWA maintains an Integrity Management Program (IMP) to ensure the practices used to operate the pipeline are effective and up to date. By implementing this program, TRSWA has determined the High Consequence Areas (HCAs) along its transmission line where pipeline releases could have greater consequences to health and safety of those living or working near the pipeline, as well as to the environment. These locations are constantly monitored and patrolled by TRSWA to ensure they are safe. More information about pipelines, safety, and the regulations that we follow to ensure our system is safe can be found at www.phmsa.dot.gov. Our most important responsibility is your safety, and we take that job very seriously! Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-855-418-7010 if you have any questions.
Working Together For Safety
If you plan any type of excavation, construction work, or any type of digging near a pipeline,
PLEASE:
- Contact the “One-Call Center”. SC811 handles the One-Call services for South Carolina. To contact SC811, call 811 or 1-888-721-7877. You may also visit the SC811 website at www.sc811.com. You must provide 3 full working days’ notice (not including the day of the call), excluding weekends and holidays, prior to digging.
- Respect pipeline marker placement.
- DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GUESS THE PIPELINE’S LOCATION.
TRSWA operates the gas pipeline in compliance with State and Federal regulations. TRSWA maintains an IMP to ensure that the practices used to operate the pipeline are effective and up to date. An IMP is defined by the American Petroleum Institute (API) as a systematic and comprehensive process designed to provide information to effectively allocate resources for the appropriate prevention, detection, and mitigation activities as referenced in the rules under 49 CFR Parts 192 or 195.
Information about TRSWA’s IMP concerning the landfill gas transmission pipeline is available upon request.