SIERRA CLUB "FOGGY VIEW"
MARCH, 2007

PALOS VERDES LANDFILL

Gas to Energy Center and Environmental Review

by Joan Davidson
The Citizens Advisory Board for the Palos Verdes
Landfi ll met on January 18, 2007 to discuss with the
State Department of Toxic Substances and the Los
Angeles County Sanitation District two important topics.
First topic under discussion was the escaping methane
and gases found in August of 2006, at the boundary of the
Palos Verdes landfi ll next to the Country Hills Homes in
Torrance; Second topic under discussion was the newly
proposed Flare system for the Gas to Energy system built
at the northwest corner of the landfi ll.
The DTSC presented information on the August 2006
sampling results from extraction wells at the edge of the
northeast corner of the landfi ll at Crenshaw Boulevard
and Rolling Hills Road in Torrance. Results show levels
of methane at the landfill and other chemicals of concern
that were found such as benzene, toluene, and vinyl
chloride. The sample results on the landfi ll were in some
cases lower than the samples results below in the Torrance
neighborhood. This deserves a much more comprehensive
review. The DTSC stated that they did fi nd levels of
hydrocarbons and related chemicals and compounds but
could not identify why these were present.
The Gas to Energy Center has been in existence since1988
when the LACSD built the facility to draw off migrating
gases from the landfi ll. The boiler heating system burns
off the chemicals and compounds from the landfi ll while
producing energy. The electricity is sold to the Edison
Company to serve thousands of homes. The LACSD is
proposing to close down the facility and move to a simple
fl are system that would only burn off the gases and no
longer produce energy for sale to the Edison Company.
Many are concerned that the fl are system cannot burn off
volatile organic compounds such as benzene and vinyl
chloride with the proposed fl are carbon fi lter system.
In a time of energy crisis in CA, it has been proposed to
the LACSD, to instead use a cleaner micro turbine system,
as acknowledged by the AQMD as a lower emissions
system, and in addition, add a series of solar panels onto
the landfi ll to create a renewable energy source that would
benefi t the community. We urged the LACSD to accept
this plan and create a facility prototype that is being used
in other states across the nation. The goal is to create a
cleaner, more effi cient center while providing a very much
need renewable energy source. One of the companies in
the U.S. working with Edison is the Stirling Company, a
producer of Solar panels. The LACSD is NOT planning to
do an environmental review on this project. The Citizens
Advisory Board strongly urged them to do this review
that would require other state agencies to review the plans
and comment on the new system. It would also require
that alternatives be included and a public comment period
would be required under CEQA.
We hope that the surrounding cities will support this
renewable energy plan that will reduce the NOx (Nitrous
Oxide) emissions at the Palos Verdes Landfi ll while
providing a clean renewable energy source.

Joan Davidson is a Conservation Committee Member and
recipient of a Special Service Award from Sierra Club
Angeles Chapter this year.

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a
week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." John Muir - Our National Parks