CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The plan to build an electrical generation plant at the Steuben County landfill received a big financial boost Monday with a $1 million construction grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“It means that a lot of the risk is taken out of the project,” said Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative General Manager Richard Moyle. Earlier this year, county legislators unanimously selected the utility to operate the plant.

When constructed, the plant will tap into the gas produced by debris at the landfill and generate electricity for SREC customers. Estimates are the new source of electricity could save customers roughly $60 a year.

The county and the utility are reportedly close to a final contract that could net Steuben County $30 million over the next 25 years.

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