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1. What do I need to know about the Solid Waste Authority’s Renewable Energy Facility 2?

Renewable Energy Facility 2 is the most advanced, efficient, cleanest and greenest waste-to-energy power plant in the world. While the facility produces enough clean renewable electricity to power approximately 60,000 homes each year, the primary purpose of the facility is to act as a waste disposal tool that reduces the volume of waste to be disposed of in the landfill. This, together with the recovery of more than 25,000 tons of metal each year, significantly extends the life of the landfill.

Read more about the facility.

2. The Solid Waste Authority’s mission statement only addresses waste from Palm Beach County. Does the Authority have the right to accept waste from outside the county?

Yes. Nothing in the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Act or any other legislation prohibits the Authority from either importing or exporting solid waste. However, the Authority's priority is properly and efficiently disposing of Palm Beach County waste. A unique supplemental waste use agreement was in place from the beginning of operation of Renewable Energy Facility 2 (REF2) and ended in 2021. The agreement existed to supplement Palm Beach County waste to bring REF 2 to capacity during the first several years of operation. During the term of the contractual agreement from April 2015 through November 2021, the Authority accepted 755,143 tons of supplemental waste.

3. What air quality controls are used at Renewable Energy Facility 2?

As the EPA has specific emissions limits for facilities that combust waste to produce energy, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has incorporated the most modern and sophisticated air pollution control systems of any facility of its kind in the world. All emission levels from Renewable Energy Facility 2 are below the Federal standards. In fact, the performance of the emissions control equipment is guaranteed by the manufacturers and by the facility operator.

Air emissions from the facility are monitored in a number of ways. Renewable Energy Facility 2 has a number of Continuous Emissions Monitors (CEM), required by the Authority's permits, which sample and analyze air quality on a continuous basis. In addition, there are quarterly and annual emission tests required to demonstrate the performance of the emissions control equipment and Renewable Energy Facility 2’s compliance with emissions standards. All this information is recorded and reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County permits also require the Authority to self-report to FDEP if there is any upset condition or performance that impacts emissions. There is a potential for significant penalties for exceeding emission limits and failing to report them, both as fines and penalties. If permit requirements are deliberately violated, there are potential civil or criminal penalties for Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County managers individually.

4. What is the impact of Renewable Energy Facility 2 on recycling?

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County processes all curbside recycling through its Recovered Materials Processing Facility. Renewable Energy Facility 2 has an extensive metals recovery system that removes residual metals from the ash prior to it being placed in the landfill.

The State of Florida counts waste delivered to a renewable energy facility towards the state’s 75% recycling goal, and the state provides one ton of recycling credit for each megawatt hour of energy produced. In 2022, Palm Beach County ranked number one in the state for recycling.