Southern California
Conversion Technology


Resources

Publications


  • The February through July 2016 Semi-Annual Status Report on Conversion Technologies is now available (click HERE). The report includes clear benchmarks for measuring progress being made towards establishing viable conversion technology projects in the County. The report can also be found along with previous reports in the Resources tab under Publications.

    Updates on Public Works' conversion technology efforts are provided within the annual Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future report.
  • On January 27, 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Board adopted a motion instructing the Director of Public Works to provide semi-annual status reports that include clear benchmarks for measuring progress being made towards establishing viable conversion technology projects in the County. To date, Public Works has submitted to the Board two Semi-Annual Reports detailing the current status and planning of key conversion technology projects in the region. The reports can be viewed below:

  • On July 3, 2012, California of Resources Recycling and Recovery, released a report titled: CalRecycle Review of Waste-to-Energy and Avoided Landfill Methane Emissions. You may view the report here.
  • On September 20, 2011, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, released an Initiation Decision Report: Waste to Clean Energy. You may view the report here.
  • At the request of Governor Jerry Brown, the California Council on Science and Technology released a report titled "Waste-to-Energy in California Technology, Issues and Context" in October 2011. You may view the report here
  • On April 20, 2010, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed Public Works to assess the feasibility of developing a conversion technology facility at one or more County landfills; to identify other potentially suitable sites within Los Angeles County; and to report back to the Board within six months. Below are the first siting assessment report and subsequent six month updates to the Board of Supervisors prepared by Public Works:
  • The County of Los Angeles has sent an official Request for Offers (RFO) to the finalist technology suppliers and material recovery facilities (MRFs), setting the stage for developing one of the first commercial-scale conversion technology facilities in the United States. The RFO comes at the end of a two-year-long search for the most proven and effective conversion technologies. To view the RFO, please click here. [PDF, 351KB]
  • The County has released its final Phase II Conversion Technology Evaluation Report, a comprehensive study of existing technology suppliers and materials recovery facilities throughout Southern California. To read the report or the executive summary, please click Report [PDF, 8MB]. Executive Summary [PDF, 383KB]. Appendices [PDF, 4.16 MB].
  • A presentation entitled Southern California Conversion Technology Demonstration Project [PDF, 453KB] provides an overview of conversion technologies, their benefits, and the development process undertaken by the County of Los Angeles.
  • University of California, Riverside released a new CT report, “Evaluation of Emissions from Thermal Conversion Technologies Processing Municipal Solid Waste and Biomass.” You may view the report here. [PDF, 559KB]
  • A report by the Sierra Club and Worldwatch Institute addressing issues related to biofuel production in the United States and advocating the development of "advancing biofuels including the organic material found in urban waste." You may view the entire article here. [PDF, 949KB]
  • An article on the BioConversion Blog, Expanded Recycling - A Key to Cutting Fossil Fuels and Global Warming, discusses the role conversion technologies play in the efforts to significantly expand recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The BioConversion Blog is an excellent informational resource for conversion, recycling, and energy issues.
  • A report commissioned by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has found that widespread adoption of conversion technologies in California has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly five million metric tons. It should be noted that this is a very conservative estimate, as the study does not take into account additional greenhouse gas emissions reductions from transportation and landfill avoidance.
    The Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee's (ETAAC) report lists conversion technologies as one of the key climate change solutions for California. To view the entire study, please click here.
  • The guidance report “How Conversion Technologies Fit Current Board Regulatory Structure" [PDF, 143KB] provides a basic outline of how current California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB] statutes and regulations apply to various types of conversion technologies. [DOC, 851KB]
  • The California Integrated Waste Management Board completed a very extensive Conversion Technology Report to the Legislature. [DOC, 851KB]
  • California Research Bureau's Brief on Biomass and Cellulosic Ethanol [PDF, 604KB] and the California Energy Commission's Bioenergy Action Plan both include information regarding conversion technologies.
  • BioCycle magazine examines the history and future development of conversion technologies in California.
  • On August 18, 2005, the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force formally adopted the Phase I Conversion Technology Evaluation Report. To read the report, please click Cover Letter [PDF, 217KB], Conversion Technology Evaluation Report [PDF, 3.1 MB], and Appendices [PDF, 4.6 MB].
  • At its September, 2006, national delegates meeting in Los Angeles, the National Latino Congreso unanimously passed a resolution in support of conversion technologies and zero waste. The delegates recognized the importance of reducing waste and landfill disposal with regard to environmental justice. The full text of the resolution can be read here.
  • Los Angeles County Public Works developed Conversion Technology Fact Sheets.

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