By KRWG News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico's largest city will receive $500,000 in federal money for a project using landfill gas to provide energy.
The grant will fund a system that converts methane gas from Albuquerque's Cerro Colorado landfill into energy.
The gas-to-energy system will collect the methane generated by decomposing landfill materials.
First, the project will use the gas to fire a new kiln at a glass recycling facility.
Then the program will pipe the gas to Bernalillo County's detention facility to fire heating and hot water boilers.
The grant was announced by U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall.
Funds come through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Showcase Communities initiative, designed to help cities increase energy efficiency, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions