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<br /> Comprehensive Revie w of <br /> S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options <br /> <br /> <br />v2.1 188 10/22/12 <br />the Town could collaborate with an area university to prepare and apply for a grant pending in <br />2013. SCS’s review of past awards described on the Center’s website (www.biofuelscenter.org) <br />suggests that grant funds may be applied for the study of converting MSW into biofuel. An <br />example project may include anaerobic digestion of MSW and delivering biogas to supplement <br />the LFG collected from the Orange County Landfill and being combusted by UNC Chapel Hill. <br />13.2.4 USDA Rural Energy for America Program <br />The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides assistance to agricultural producers <br />and rural small businesses to complete a variety of projects. Offering both loan guarantees and <br />grants, the REAP program helps eligible applicants install renewable energy systems such as <br />anaerobic digesters or solar panels, and to conduct feasibility studies researching these systems. <br />Based on the program guidelines, the Town is likely not directly eligible as the program targets <br />agricultural producers directly engaged in the production of agricultural products (i.e., crops, <br />livestock, forestry products, hydroponics, nursery, and aquaculture) whereby 50% + or greater of <br />their gross income is derived from the operations. However, strategic collaboration with such <br />identified small businesses, along with the neighboring universities’ educational research <br />resources, to utilize the Town’s waste to contribute to a renewable energy project would present <br />an eligible project. <br />The maximum amount of a REAP Guaranteed Loan is $25 million per loan request. The <br />minimum loan amount is $5,000. Up to 75% of total eligible project costs can be covered <br />through the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program. The minimum Renewable Energy System Grant <br />request is $2,500 up to a maximum of 25% of eligible project costs or $500,000, whichever is <br />less. More information on these USDA programs may be found on their website <br />(www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Reap). <br />13.3 R ECOMMENDATIONS FOR F URTHER COLLA BORATION <br />EFFORTS <br />Based on our initial discussions with potential WC feasibility partners in the vicinity of the town, <br />SCS recommends that more, in-depth discussions take place with UNC to collaborate on an <br />anaerobic digestion project to manage the University and Town-generated organic waste. Firm <br />support for successful collaboration on such a project is demonstrated by: <br /> The University appears to have a firm desire to become more “carbon neutral” by <br />employing more sustainable technologies to solve its solid waste management issues, <br />while, at the same time, provide more renewable energy supplies to replace coal. <br />Similarly, the Town’s newly adopted Comprehensive Plan outlines goals for reducing <br />community greenhouse gas emissions. <br /> Boiler modifications have been completed to co-fire biogas and coal, and gas <br />transmission pipeline infrastructure has been constructed. <br /> Source segregation of food waste has already been successfully demonstrated by <br />UNC, presenting a ready feedstock for a pilot project without encumbering additional <br />cost.