Pipeline to Connect Landfill, Power Plant

GLENDALE —  A plan to build a five-mile pipeline to transport methane gas from the Scholl Canyon Landfill to the city power plant was approved by the Glendale City Council on Tuesday.

The gas will be used to produce enough electricity each year to supply 30,000 homes.

As part of a 20-year agreement, the city will buy the refined methane gas from Scholl Canyon Landfill Gas Corp. of Massachusetts, the company that will build the pipeline and pay at least $330,000 per month for the fuel.

A 15% royalty on sales of electricity, which could amount to $50,000 a month, is expected in return, said Kerry Morford, assistant public works director. In year 11 of the agreement, the city will begin to get a 1% royalty bonus in addition to the 15%.

City officials estimate that, over the 20-year period of the contract, the city will save about $20 million. The design of the pipes and construction of the processing plant will cost the company an estimated $8.5 million.

Work on the project at the city-owned dump straddling the Eagle Rock border is expected to begin by November; the project at the power plant near San Fernando Road is expected to be in operation by next July, city officials said.