Douglas County partners with OPPD to turn old landfill into solar power project - KETV Omaha

Douglas County partner OPPD turn landfill solar power project

Douglas County partners with OPPD to turn old landfill into solar power project

Omaha Public Power District and Douglas County are getting together for a new project to take a landfill and turn it into a place that generates solar power.

The initiative known as SOLUS, or solar on landfills utility scale, will take the Douglas County State Street Landfill in the area of 126th and State streets and transform it into a spot for renewable energy.

“We greatly value our partnership with Douglas County on this project. It is a great example of Nebraska ingenuity at work as we seek opportunities to add more renewable energy to our generation portfolio,” said OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez.

The landfill was open between 1973 and 1989 until it was closed to isolate waste.

"Closed landfills have limited future uses," said Kent Holm, director of Douglas County Environmental Services. "This project identifies a potential compatible use that will provide additional power to the community."

A SOLUS study will start in December and last until June 2024 to grasp a timeline of the project.

A grant worth $3.46 million from the Nebraska Environmental Trust will help cover some of the cost for mounting the solar project.

"We are excited to see this project move forward," said Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson, chairwoman of the Douglas County Board. "This project comes at a critical time to meet a greater demand for electricity due to a growing population and new industrial customers within the service district. It is a win-win for the County, OPPD, and ultimately our citizens."

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