PATRICK E. MURPHY 18TH DISTRICT, FL0!11DA
WASHINGTON Ofl-ICF: 1617 LONGWORTH HoUSE OFFICE 8UiLDIW< WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 225-,'3026 FAX: (202) 225--8,'398 www,p(ltrickmurphy,house.gov 

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## ztmm5!Jington, IDilt 20515-0918
November 26,2014
Environmental Pmtection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20460 Re: Comments for EPA Clean Power Plan Section 1ll(d) EPA Docket#: EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 Dear Sir or Madam: COMMITfi'FS FINANCIAL SERVICES SUHCOMMIl rES:;: FINANCIAL iW-illTUli()N:> AND CoNSUMEH Cm:otT MUNt-IN-lY POLICY /\1\'U TrM!JF SMALL BUSINESS

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As your agency works totransition our nation toward cleaner electricity production through the regulatory framework ofSection 111(d) ofthe Clean Air Act, itis importantto considerthe broad-based climate benefits ofalready-existing renewable energy sources like Waste-to-Energy (WtE) electric generating units. I submit my commentsforthis EPA Docketto highlightthe overarching environmental benefits of this technology. Waste-to-Energy facilities provide renewable energy to the grid while significantly reducing the waste stream. Thereduction oflandfill volume is typically reduced 10 to I by utilizing WtE. The fuel feedstock for these renewable energy units is derived from material that historically has been managed almost exclusively through landfill disposal, which creates a pathway for the production ofmethane and other volatile organic compounds that occurwith decomposition oflandfill waste. Advancingthe utilization ofmunicipal solid waste as a fuel source diverts the waste stream from landfill, reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and avoids the potential increase in atmospheric methane- another environmental initiative the Administration has tasked your agencyto regulate. WtE facilities provide our nation a confluence ofopportunities to combatheattrapping greenhouse gases and the environmental challenges they create. Through the combustion ofwastethatwould otherwise be landfilled, WtE facilities decrease ournation's reliance on more carbon-intensive generating technologies while simultaneously extending the operational life ofournation's landfills and eliminating methane release from the decay oforganic waste in a landfill. Thenation's 80 operating WtE facilities safely process in excess of30 million tons oftrash each year and generate more than 14.5 million megawatt hours ofelectricity that is supplied to the grid. Additionally, these facilities recover more than 730,000 tons offerrous metals for recycling and serve to increase overall communityrecycling rates through continued onsite separation ofrecyclable materials. In the 18'h District ofFlorida, which I represent, the Palm Beach Renewable Energy Park annually processes 795,000 tons ofmunicipal solid waste, providing renewable energy for approximately 30,000 homes. Upon completion ofFacility #2 next year, 1,795,000 tons ofmunicipal solid waste will be

121 SW POI-1\ ST. LUCif 80ULEVAHD RooM 187 Pom ST. LucK, FL 34984 f'HONE {772) 3,'36-2877

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FAX (772) 464-8,'392 f'HINTlD ON Rf.CYCl I'D f'/1PER 2000 PGA BOULr:VAfHJ SumoA3220 PALM BU.Cil

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**AV~NLJf** STUAHT, FL 34994 PHONE {772) 781-3266 FAX (772) 781-3267processed to power 85,000 homes. Operating at capacity, this newfacility will also support more than 200 full timejobs. Ournation has reached a criticaljuncture where we have an oppmiunity to promote the expanded development ofclean, renewable energy sources that simultaneously curb our greenhouse gas emissions. Waste-to-Energy generating facilities achieve that goal while creating domesticjobs, suppmiing American technological innovation, and avoidingmethane emissions. Given these benefits, I strongly encourage the EPA to give full and fair consideration to strengthening WtE as a renewable energy generatingtechnology under the guidelines ofBuilding Block 3. I also highly recommend EPA consider including methane avoidance emission contributions in the context ofthis rulemaking. Thank you for the opportunity to submit my comments. Please feel free to contact me or my staffwith any questions. Sincerely, 

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# ~ Patrick E. Murphy MEMBER OF CONGRESS