Hill AFB, Ogden Hill Community Energy to develop recycling, waste-handling facilities

March 7, 2011

The U.S. Air Force has announced it is set to begin negotiations on an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL )project that could process recyclables and municipal solid waste for Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and the surrounding community.

The Air Force Real Property Agency (AFRPA) and Hill AFB will soon begin negotiations with Ogden Hill Community Energy LLC to develop recycling and waste-handling facilities that could ultimately process up to 120,000 tons of recyclables and 200,000 tons of municipal solid waste per year.

The project would take urban waste and convert it into a renewable fuel source. It would reduce the environmental footprint of northern Utah, while providing in-kind consideration and reduced operating expenses for Hill AFB, said Mary Enges, energy development program manager at Hill AFB.

The recycling center will include a classroom for expanding educational opportunities for the local community related to recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, efficiency, clean renewable energy, and climate change.

Through the EUL program, the Air Force will lease land to Ogden Hill Community Energy for development. In exchange, the installation can receive lease payments in the form of cash or services, such as facility byproducts that can be converted to power.

This waste-to-energy project is the latest in a growing portfolio of Air Force energy projects developed through the EUL program. In addition, AFRPA has a lease agreement with a private developer to create a photovoltaic solar array at Edwards AFB, Calif.; is currently working on a second energy project at Hill; and is also looking at possible projects at other installations.