USA, Livermore CA

Waste Management Inc. and Linde North America have agreed to work together to build a facility that will convert landfill gas into liquified natural gas at the Altamont landfill. The $15.5 million joint venture will receive grant assistance from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The Houston based solid waste company said the facility is expected to produce up to 13,000 gallons of liquified natural gas a day when it begins operations in 2009. 

Waste Management which reportedly already operates the largest U.S. fleet of heavy-duty collection trucks that operate on natural gas, said the project will create a "clean fuel" with which to fuel its vehicles and will reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. "It couldn't come at a better time since oil and gas prices are going through the roof," said Waste Management spokesman Wes Muir.