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Wastewater plant accounts for bulk of town emissions, e‑board told
Summary
CLEAR staff told Carbondale’s Environmental Board that about 60% of municipal greenhouse‑gas emissions come from wastewater treatment; members discussed targeted upgrades, large future capital needs tied to regulatory changes, and possible grant funding.
CLEAR staff presented the town’s municipal energy and greenhouse‑gas inventory and told the Environmental Board that wastewater treatment accounts for roughly 60% of the town’s municipal emissions (about half of that from natural‑gas heating and half from electricity). Board members said focusing on wastewater‑plant efficiency could yield large reductions and compared that to other electrification options.
Presenters explained that wastewater facilities require high air‑exchange rates and large makeup‑air units; one replacement makeup‑air unit last year cost about $330,000. Staff cautioned that the plant was built in 1973 and that upcoming regulatory changes could require multi‑million‑dollar upgrades (estimates discussed ranged from roughly $5 million up to $50 million, depending on final regulatory outcomes).
Board members and staff discussed options that can be implemented now (blower replacements and targeted efficiency projects) and emphasized cautious capital planning to avoid investing heavily before regulatory direction is final. Staff also noted data gaps for the community‑level inventory — specifically Black Hills utility data and waste‑collection tonnage — that must be resolved to finish the next report.
Next steps: CLEAR and town staff will complete the community inventory when outstanding utility and waste data arrive and will identify near‑term efficiency projects at the wastewater plant that can reduce emissions and operating costs.
