What is “waste to energy?”
Waste-to-energy facilities produce clean, renewable energy through the combustion of
municipal solid waste. This process occurs in specifically designed power plants
equipped with the most modern pollution control equipment to clean emissions.
What waste-to-energy facilities are currently operating in the Tampa Bay area?
The Pasco County Solid Waste Resources Recovery Facility began operation in May
1991. The facility processes up to 1,050 tons per day of solid waste, generating up to
31.2 megawatts of renewable energy. This energy is sold to Progress Energy. Last
year, this facility generated enough electricity to conservatively power 15,000 homes
and earned $15 million in revenue for the county. The facility is owned by Pasco County
and operated by Covanta Energy. It sits on 72 acres in the Shady Hills area of central
Pasco County
