Our Services

Heath and Associates, Inc., offer a variety of services to address the needs of landfill gas-to-energy projects. Feasibility studies, end-user analysis, sales contract negotiations, and consulting services can be prepared to address the preliminary aspects of landfill gas-to-energy projects. Engineering design and construction management services can be prepared for any type landfill gas system facility. Our knowledge of gas system operations, regulatory compliance, and operator training are other aspects that assist our clients with the completion of your LFGE projects. Heath and Associates can provide economic evaluation to assess financial alternatives and to identify financing opportunities. Our studies and reports developed by professional engineers, are often used by our clients as a primary component of information packages used to secure financing.

Feasibility Studies and Financial Analysis		Negotiation with End-Users for Sales Contract
Pipeline System Routing, Design, and Specifications		Project Permitting
Project Construction Management		C02 Emission Offsets
Operations Assistance		Regulatory Compliance Plans and Training
Landfill Gas-to-Energy Brochure

General feasibility studies include a review of the landfill’s methane generation potential and value, proximity evaluation of potential end-users and sales opportunities, and project economics. The economics will include capital and operational costs, identify revenues, financing alternatives, and rate of return. Both the LFGE project opportunities and risks will be identified. The study will conclude the feasibility and commissioning recommendations for viable projects.

Detailed project studies take a feasible project and detail the necessary steps for project completion. The studies summarize the end user contacts, interest, and potential energy use. The LFG pipeline route is selected, and both the right-of-way necessary for construction and the necessary permits needed for construction are identified. The studies provide economic evaluation for financing by estimating the Capital and O&M costs for the project, projecting the Sales Revenue for the project, and providing performance projections suitable for obtaining financing. The study will also evaluate Greenhouse Gas Offset Credits and other financial and intangible opportunities associated with the project. The studies conclude with detailed recommendations and action items.

End-user sales agreements play a key role in securing financing. Through our vast experience in the Natural Gas industry we have worked with various industrial customers in many different aspects and regulatory environments. Our knowledge of and experience with negotiating rates and sales contracts with industries will ensure that a fair and lucrative deal is achieved for all parties involved.

Engineering design and specifications can be developed addressing the needs of a LFGE project. Construction conditions and cost estimates are a critical component of the economic feasibility analysis and are developed by our professional engineers who have many years of natural gas construction experience. Detailed specifications for material standards and installation methods along with contract documents for public bidding can be developed for each project. Our services include design, bidding, permitting, construction management, verification of invoices, and overall project management.

Permitting is a very important aspect of a LFGE project due to the time that is required to obtain permits. Highway, railroad, and environmental permitting may be necessary to begin the construction of the pipeline. Our experience and reputation with various railroads and regulatory agencies will streamline the permit process and assume that construction can begin without delaying the project.

All phases of LFGE project construction management are available including design, specifications, permitting, mapping, fabrication drawings, contract development, project inspection, and new or expanding facility startup.

A carbon offset is an investment into a project or action with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Offset credits are available for qualifying LFGE projects or landfills with an on-site flaring system for methane destruction. Please click here for more information from Heath and Associates.

Heath and Associates can assist operators with any aspect of system operations. Management guidance, reporting, maintenance scheduling, and technical reports direct operators to use industry best practices. Heath and Associates can perform many of the operations and maintenance tasks on a contract basis as well. The operations assistance is usually directed toward system safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient and economical routine operations.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy pipeline operators are required to have Operations and Maintenance plans. Heath and Associates develops operation and maintenance plans for clients which meet all Department of Transportation/Office of Pipeline Safety and State Utility Commission requirements. Plan manuals developed by Heath and Associates guide client personnel in the areas of reporting, system design, operations and maintenance procedures, and record keeping.

Plans contain generic minimum compliance requirements and are customized to the client's system. Procedures for responding to emergencies and abnormal operating conditions are included in the operations and maintenance plan. The manuals address material for construction, construction specifications and procedures, and the testing and rating of new facilities. The manuals aid clients in scheduling maintenance, identifying reporting requirements and deadlines, and creating appropriate forms and formats to keep records.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy pipeline operators are required to have a written Public Awareness Plan as of June 20, 2006. Heath and Associates, Inc., offer consulting services to gas utilities to help develop and implement Public Awareness Plans. Heath and Associates has developed sample distribution materials, forms, guidelines, and generic justification language to aid operators in Public Awareness implementation activities. We can provide a comprehensive written plan or provide supplemental consulting assistance to aid operators enhance their existing plans.

All natural gas utilities are required to have an Operator Qualification Plan as of April 27, 2001. Heath and Associates, Inc., offer consulting services and packaged OQ Plans to gas utilities to help develop and implement Operator Qualification Plans. The combination of Heath and Associates' operational and regulatory compliance experience along with the packaged OQ plans and management systems enable Heath and Associates to provide comprehensive solutions to assist gas utilities with Operator Qualification activities.

Heath and Associates offers training and testing/qualification of gas system and contract operating personnel. Heath and Associates offers several OQ schools which cover many of the covered tasks associated with Operations and Maintenance, Corrosion, and Construction. Customized training and evaluation operating personnel can be developed. Heath and Associates also assists operators in the development of tests and evaluation criteria and with OQ plan modifications.

On-site field inspections and a comprehensive review of safety and maintenance records are performed to identify safety concerns of client system. Safe, desirable operating functions are defined for each system. Existing operating policies are monitored and reviewed for safety and adequacy. An analysis of these practices is made and recommendations for necessary changes to bring the client's system into compliance are detailed. Specific review of operating procedures or facilities identified by client or DOT/OPS inspector will also be addressed in a system study.

Customized engineering or management oriented consulting services are tailored to address specific client requests. A training program, which is prescribed by client on any natural gas distribution subject matter, can be defined and delivered to the client's staff.

This page was designed by: Heath and Associates, Inc.

December, 2006



Landfill Methane Outreach Program	Chicago Climate Exchange	Solid Waste Association of North America