An Act Concerning the Reclassification of Trash-To-Energy Facilities as Class I Renewable Energy Sources - Summer

This report analyzes Connecticut’s Raised Bill No. 5118, which proposes reclassifying waste‑to‑energy (WtE) facilities as Class‑I renewable energy sources — placing them alongside wind and solar in the state’s renewable portfolio standards. The legislation is intended to address two key environmental concerns: local air pollution and global climate change. By making WtE eligible for Class‑I renewable energy credits (RECs), the bill would create market incentives for increased utilization of WtE, thereby encouraging the incineration of municipal solid waste that currently ends up in landfills.

The report’s analysis shows that while WtE facilities emit more nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gases per unit of energy than Connecticut’s average fossil fuel generation, the reclassification would reduce overall air pollutants and greenhouse emissions when avoided landfill methane and reduced waste transportation are taken into account. It finds that converting all landfilled municipal solid waste to WtE could meaningfully lower net emissions of NOx, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide equivalents — particularly when accounting for avoided diesel emissions from out‑of‑state landfill transport.

The analysis also highlights several controversies and challenges associated with the bill. Critics argue that WtE does not meet traditional definitions of “renewable” because it relies on mixed waste feedstocks rather than inexhaustible natural sources. There are concerns about the potential for WtE to compete with investments in truly low‑emission renewables and about localized air quality violations at existing facilities. The report underscores that while reclassification may deliver environmental benefits, its success depends on careful design of REC allocation and monitoring to safeguard clean air standards and ensure balanced progress toward climate goals.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.