SAN DIEGO – Marines and local community leaders highlighted the anniversary of the first use of the Miramar Landfill’s methane-powered generators at the Miramar Landfill, San Diego, June 7.
The generators began producing energy for the air station June 14, 2012 by collecting methane gas and converting it into energy, while boosting eco-friendly consumption of energy and lowering the air station’s dependence on San Diego’s power grid.
“Today marks the one year anniversary of the partnership between Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego and Fortistar ® to provide renewable energy for the installation at the landfill,” said Col. John Farnam, MCAS Miramar commanding officer. “It’s great that these sources of energy are coming along and it’s just the right thing to do for the environment and San Diego that we be able to support our own energy needs. It’s a good feeling.”
Not only does Farnam feel good about the air station’s stance on renewable energy, officials with the San Diego Environmental Services do as well.
“This is a prime example of what can happen when different agencies come together on a project,” said Mario Sierra, deputy director of Environmental Services, San Diego. “We think this is the best of all worlds. Not only [is the air station] lighting the load on the grid system, it is self sustaining, and this is ideally what we would like to do with our other facilities as well.”
With the air station leading the way for self-sustaining energy, Farnam hopes to reach the ultimate goal of complete renewable energy within the next couple of years.