New Use for Former Garbage Landfill

Amherst to begin negotiatations to build solar generating system on top of town's former landfill

Photo by Diane Lederman / The Republican: The former town landfill, seen here, could soon be generating power as town officials will begin negotiating with BlueWave based in Boston.

March 09, 2011 - AMHERST – The town will begin negotiating to hire the Boston-based BlueWave Capital LLC to build a solar generating system on the town’s former landfill on Belchertown Road.

Blue Wave was one of six companies that responded to a request for proposals to develop alternative energy on the site.

Town Manager John P. Musante told the Select Board this week that the project could produce 4.75 megawatt’s of electricity enough to provide energy to all town buildings and schools, street lights and more. Depending on the cost of energy over time, the project could save the town about $25 million over the next 25 to 30 years. {continued}