Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

A Study Of Obstacles To Use Of Methane Gas Produced In Landfills For Energy, Sharee Lynn Bowdidge

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to examine why landfill generated methane gas is not being treated as a resource, and used more widely as an energy source in the Southwestern United States. In this thesis, I have identified four possible barriers that may describe why this resource is not being used more often at landfill operations: 1) technological difficulties, 2) economic limitations, 3) regulatory constraints, and 4) insufficient desire to use. I have explored each of the possibilities in depth through case study interviews with individuals employed at six landfill operations, and individuals associated with landfill policy making. Although …