Rock Island County Selected for Federal Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance

I have exciting news to share.

Earlier this year, I applied on behalf of the Village of Coal Valley for the U.S. Department of Energy's Waste-to-Energy and Materials Technical Assistance Program.

The application was selected.

As a result, Rock Island County now has access to federal technical experts who can help evaluate our waste stream, existing landfill infrastructure, renewable natural gas operations, materials recovery opportunities, potential waste-to-energy technologies, project economics, financing options, and available grants.

Most importantly, this assistance comes at no cost to local taxpayers.

This isn't funding for a project, and it isn't approval to build anything. No local government is being asked to spend money or commit to a future facility.

What was approved is something we often don't get: access to independent experts who can help us answer important questions before major decisions are made.

If you've followed my website, you'll know this didn't happen overnight.

In May, I published "Bringing Waste-to-Energy to the Conversation in Rock Island County" after reviewing years of Illinois EPA landfill data and researching opportunities that may exist for our region.

👉 Read that article here: https://www.votemountain.com/post/bringing-waste-to-energy-to-the-conversation-in-rock-island-county

Since then, I've continued gathering information, speaking with stakeholders, and digging deeper into the data.

One thing I learned is that both landfills operating in Rock Island County already have renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in place. Energy recovery from our waste stream is already happening today.

The next question is whether additional opportunities exist and what role local communities should play in those discussions.

That's exactly what this technical assistance program is designed to help answer.

I've shared the award notification, application materials, project summary, and supporting EPA data with both Rock Island County and the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA).

I have also been invited to present the opportunity at the next RICWMA meeting.

Upcoming Public Meeting

Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA)

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

1:00 PM

Bi-State Regional Commission

1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois

The meeting is open to the public.

My request to RICWMA is simple: participate in the one-hour kickoff meeting requested by the Department of Energy so that local governments, landfill operators, and regional stakeholders can help shape the analysis from the beginning.

I don't know what the final answers will be.

Maybe the analysis identifies significant opportunities.

Maybe it identifies major obstacles.

Maybe it concludes that current operations are already the best path forward.

But I believe Rock Island County is better off having real facts, real data, and independent expertise before future decisions are made.

I'll continue sharing updates as this process moves forward.