Clinton County Landfill Methane Project First EPA Climate Leaders Approved Carbon Offset Project Help us support the first-ever carbon offset project approved by the US EPA’s Climate Leaders Program. Located in Clinton County, NY, this innovative project is fighting climate change by collecting and destroying the greenhouse gas methane, which is about 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide, from the landfill. The project prevented over 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in just nine months. This is equivalent to the emissions from over 18,300 passenger vehicles! Support Clinton County Today! Did you know? The average carbon footprint of an American is a whopping 50,000 lbs. (24 metric tons) of CO2 yearly. Climate change affects every one of us, and we must all be part of the solution.

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Project Description

Clinton County Landfill Methane

Location: Near Plattsburgh, NY
Project type: Methane Destruction
Standard: US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders Program
Approval: US Environmental Protection Agency

As the first-ever carbon offset project approved by the EPA Climate Leaders Program, the project is a landfill methane collection and destruction system. The project covers nearly 70 acres & handles approximately 160,000 metric tons of waste each year.

Landfill gas comes from decomposing organic material such as paper and food in solid waste. A component of the gas is the greenhouse gas methane. The project can destroy the methane by flaring it or, as a result of a recent addition, convert the gas to electricity to provide a clean, renewable source of energy.

Environmental Benefits

• Mitigates climate change
• Improves local air quality
• Prevents groundwater contamination

Community Benefits

• Development of new technologies
• Job creation
• Controls landfill odor
• Promotes waste management in the surrounding area

The offsets currently available through Carbonfund.org represent methane destruction that occurred between January and September 2008; over 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided in the period.

Climate Leaders is a partnership between EPA & companies to develop climate change strategies including emissions reductions. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the environment by completing an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, setting reduction goals, and reporting to EPA on their progress.