Video: New Waste-to-Energy Facility in Houston

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HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Governor Phil Bryant was in Houston Wednesday morning for the dedication of Mississippi’s newest waste-to-energy project.

Waste Management’s Prairie Bluff Landfill has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority to open Mississippi’s latest waste-to-energy facility. Governor Phil Bryant says this new system is a part of the state’s aggressive energy plan.

“We have 17 landfills across the state, this is the 3rd one. TVA has again been a great business partner with us and the Department of Environmental Quality that helps come out and certify these systems. So we have the potential to put the remainder of the landfills under the same system. Our energy plan for the state encourages that,” says Bryant.

The energy produced at the Prairie Bluff Landfill will generate enough electricity to power about 900 homes in and around Chickasaw County. Decomposing yard and food waste produces methane gas which is then used to create electricity.

“This power does not cost more than other options for us so it meets our low cost objective as well as our cleaner objective. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase a new technology,” says Kim Greene of Tennessee Valley Authority.

Governor Bryant says the opening of this project is proof that Mississippi can be a leader in the drive toward energy independence.

“I think the rest of the world sees Mississippi as an energy state. Next year, I’ll be Chairman of the Southern States Energy Board and we’re going to lead in this industry,” says Bryant.

The Natchez Trace Electric Power Association will also be involved in this clean energy project.

Waste Management has been working to develop this technology for more than two decades.