A message just came across my desk saying that oil has risen past $107/bbl, indicating that we’ll see this reflected at the pump … probably before I finish writing this piece. Regardless of what impact it has today or tomorrow, you don’t have to polish up your crystal ball to see where things are headed. Last week’s web log (and my upcoming magazine editorial) talked about the importance of securing enough waste in order to continue to finance your system, so now I’d like to talk about your stuff that’s already in the ground and busily generating an increasingly valuable commodity.
As I will be attending SWANA’s Landfill Gas Symposium next week in Orlando, here is a good chance for me to put in a plug for the event and for you to give it serious consideration, particularly if you find yourself on the rail about participating in its many presentations and hallway conversations.
If LFG is on your plate and you’re wondering about its future, in my humble opinion you need to be there. Why? Because not only is the marketplace for LFG changing, but if my information is correct, the materials going into landfills since the downturn have shown a significant increase in moisture content, potentially affecting methanogenesis and the radius of effect of gas management systems.
In candor, I have no idea whether this moisture content situation is unique to one waste shed or even whether my vision of the possible effects is for real or pixie dust, but those are things in intend to dig into while I’m there.
Of equal importance is gaining a sense of the options for LFG processing and utilization as oil-cost milestones are achieved and passed. Does $107/bbl offer up new options in management practices of product development? Do things change at $120 or $150 per barrel? I don’t know, but you can bet I’m going to put my sensors on high alert while I’m there and report what I see and hear when I return.
But if I were sitting on top of pile of putrescible stuff, I’d sure as heck rub shoulders with my peers.
Hope to see you in Orlando next week.
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March 15th, 2012
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March 22nd, 2012
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April 5th, 2012
BMP Management
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Constantly influenced by natural eutrophication, direct human impact, and a changing climate, surface water is a scarce natural resource needing effective protection. Join Shahram (Shane) Missaghi to explore the function and benefits of BMPs in protecting surface water, and examine three key criteria to insure their successful implementation: water, soil, and climate Read more...
April 18th, - May 25th, 2012
Sediment and Erosion Control
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Join industry expert and bestselling author Jerald S. Fifield, Ph.D., CISEC, CPESC and Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC for a comprehensive 6-part online master class and workshop series (0.9 CEUs / 9 PDHs) exploring the ins and outs of effective sediment and erosion control plan design and review based on Fifield’s recently released 3rd edition of the bestselling manual Designing and Reviewing Effective Sediment and Erosion Control Plans (included in your Master Class Series package).
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