The City's Department of Public Utilities operates the Division of Cleveland Public Power (“CPP”) for supplying electric energy to customers located primarily in the City of Cleveland. In order to meet the goal of reducing Cleveland's dependency on electric power purchases, CPP sought to assess the feasibility of a Municipal Solid Waste (“MSW”) Facility (the “Facility”) at the City of Cleveland’s Ridge Road Transfer Station which could convert Municipal Solid Wastes to electric power (MSWE). 

Cleveland Public Power retained RNR Consulting to perform an assessment study regarding this MSWE Project. To accomplish this, RNR Consulting assembled a team of engineers and project managers experienced in technical analyses of pyrolysis and gasification technologies, environmental permitting and regulations, traffic studies, financial analysis and community assessments. The Consulting Team, with guidance from CPP’s executive leadership and stakeholders, conducted due diligence and data oriented research through discussions with Princeton Environmental Group, reviews of consultant presentations provided by CPP and analysis of existing data on waste collection. We also contacted other national and Ohio sites/projects utilizing similar technologies, held discussions and conducted interviews with municipalities for potential MSW agreements, and held discussions with potential partners (AMP Ohio and OAQDA). In addition, the Consultant Team conducted intensive industry research regarding the potential economic development opportunities which could result from the success of the MSWE project. 

The Consultant Team conducted the MSWE study and identified a number of additional areas of inquiry to support the Facility’s long-term viability. These areas included recommendations detailing:

· A market analysis study for MSWE facility outputs (steam, pellets and recyclables)

· An MSW feedstock study to determine composition of Cleveland’s MSW

· Formation of a project finance team to focus on project funding

· A conceptual layout for facility design and site visits

· A public relations campaign to educate the public on MSWE benefits

· A legal team to address potential City of Cleveland Charter limitations. 

It was determined that the underlying pyrolysis gasification and steam compression technologies are sound. In addition, the Consultant Team supported moving the project into the conceptual design stage if a number of the identified critical recommendations are implemented.