Hill AFB energy project full steam ahead

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SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Officials are set to begin negotiations on a unique enhanced use lease project that could process recyclables and municipal solid waste at Hill Air Force Base, Utah and the surrounding community.

Officials at the Air Force Real Property Agency and Hill AFB will soon begin negotiations with Ogden Hill Community Energy LLC, to develop recycling and waste-handling facilities that could ultimately process up to 120,000 tons of recyclables and 200,000 tons of municipal solid waste per year.

"We are taking urban waste and converting it into a renewable fuel source" said Mary Enges, the energy development program manager at Hill AFB. "This project will reduce the environmental footprint of Northern Utah, while providing in-kind consideration and reduced operating expenses for Hill AFB."

The recycling center will include a classroom for expanding educational opportunities for the local community related to recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, efficiency, clean renewable energy and climate change.

Through the EUL program, Air Force officials will lease land to OHCE for development. In exchange, the installation can receive lease payments in the form of cash or services, such as facility byproducts that can be converted to power.

Following a highly competitive evaluation of developer-submitted proposals, Kathleen Ferguson, the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, approved the selection of OHCE as the highest ranked offeror, given its ability to provide the highest and best use of the property to the Air Force.

This waste-to-energy project at Hill AFB is the latest in a growing portfolio of Air Force energy projects developed through the EUL program.

In addition, AFRPA officials have an agreement to lease with a private developer to create a photovoltaic solar array at Edwards AFB, Calif., and is also currently working on a second energy project at Hill, and is also looking at possible projects at other installations.

"This project is a perfect example of the unique benefits EULs can provide installations," said Bob Moore, the Air Force Real Property Agency director. "It will create a renewable energy source, a recycling center to handle community waste and a business opportunity for the developer."

The EUL program is a major part of AFRPA's mission to manage, acquire and dispose of Air Force real property worldwide. To date, the agency has more than 30 EUL projects in various stages of development at bases throughout the U.S. and its territories.

(Courtesy of Air Force Real Property Agency)