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March 11, 2005
 Landfill Expands Job Market
In a press conference at the Waterloo Holiday Inn, today, IESI-Seneca
Meadows Landfill and Senator Michael F. Nozzolio introduced plans for a
landfill gas powered Renewable Resource Park, and its first tenant, H2Gro,
a hydroponic tomato greenhouse company out of Lewiston, New York.
H2Gro will construct and operate up to 20 acres of greenhouses, providing
about 100 new jobs for the community.
President and CEO of IESI-Seneca Meadows, Mickey Flood, expressed his
excitement about the project, stating that, “Seneca Meadows is
already the 4th largest private industrial employer in Seneca County,
with a peak of 160 local employees. The IESI-Seneca Meadows
Renewable Resource
Park now gives us the
opportunity to expand our role from employer to developer, bringing in a
significant number of valuable jobs and establishing a greater tax base for
the people of this community.”
The RRP will be located across from the Landfill, on the east side of
Route 414, and will encompass over 200 acres. Construction is scheduled to
begin in December, with the installation of four 1.5 MW landfill gas driven
reciprocating engine/generators in the Park. Relocation of the existing 11
MW energy facility, from the west to the east side of Route 414, is planned
for early 2006, along with the commencement of the greenhouse facility
construction. H2Gro hopes to be open for business late 2006/early 2007,
operating on the electricity and waste heat generated by the landfill gas
powered energy plants.
Mr. Flood, and various supporters of the IESI-Seneca Meadows RRP,
proclaimed the many benefits of the project at the 11:00 am press
conference, stating that, in addition to the financial and employment
opportunities of the RRP, Seneca County could also benefit from potential
educational programs, including a tie-in to the Cornell Ag-Tech Park with
regard to researching new agri-business technologies, and curriculum
enhancing relationships with local high schools and middle schools.
Supporters also noted that the RRP offers multiple incentives to prospective
developers, including:
- Significant savings
in electricity costs (rates around $0.05/Kwh);
- Sufficient power for
large energy users;
- Opportunities for
inexpensive waste heat and refrigeration;
- Proximity to a waste
disposal facility;
- Environmental benefits
of renewable energy usage;
- Access to major
transportation routes;
- Availability of
existing utility infrastructure; and,
- Potential rail
access.
Mr. Flood assured the audience of local and state dignitaries that,
“IESI-Seneca Meadows is committed to the success of this Renewable Resource Park,
and is actively partnering with the Seneca County Industrial Development
Agency [IDA] to attract additional environmentally conscious businesses
that will enhance the welfare of this county. Currently we are looking into
a commercial tropical fish farm operation, and cold storage facilities
serving the cabbage and apple industries.
With the continued support of Senator Nozzolio and the IDA Board of
Directors, the IESI-Seneca
Meadows Renewable
Resource Park
is sure to be a lasting contributor to the economic revitalization of this
community.”
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