Oregon Waste Water Facility to Produce CNG for Vehicles

The Portland City Council has approved a contract for final design of a facility at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant (CBWTP) to convert biogas into CNG for use as a vehicle fuel.  This project would allow the plant to re-use nearly all of the 600 million cubic feet of biogas it produces annually.

An Environmental Services study of re-use alternatives found that the vehicle fuel option is the most economical and has the greatest environmental benefit because it will reduce diesel fuel use and further cut greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Services is exploring several possible uses for the fuel, including selling it to a utility company or to Portland area refuse fleets, fueling city vehicles, or fueling trucks that haul bio-solids for land application.

The project would cost an estimated $10.9 million to design and construct a biogas processing and storage facility and a vehicle fueling station at the CBWTP. Environmental Services is exploring available grants and financial incentives to help reduce project costs. Construction could start early next year and the facility could be operational by 2017. “Biogas is a sustainable, renewable energy source,” said Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish. “This project will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money for our sewer ratepayers.”

For more information, contact Linc Mann at 503.823.5328.