Liberty III Opens as Newest Expansion

Liberty III in White County, Ind. is newest expansion of co-op’s Alternative Fuel Supply

generating plant building exterior
Liberty III generating plant at Liberty Landfill will generate 6.4 megawatts of electricity.

Indianapolis-based Wabash Valley Power Association, an electric generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, has added its 16th landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) generating plant to its power supply portfolio. The Liberty III plant is located at Waste Management of Indiana’s landfill located near Buffalo, Indiana in White County and joins two existing plants at the facility. The Liberty I plant began operations in 2005, and Liberty II began generating power in 2010.

White County Economic Director Randy Mitchell addresses those present about the positive impact alternative energy has on White County.

The completion of this project brings Wabash Valley Power’s total generating capacity at its LFGTE plants to 53.6 megawatts (MW), producing enough energy to power 40,000 average-sized homes. Via an arrangement with Waste Management of Indiana, Wabash Valley has built 16 generating facilities at nine landfills throughout the northern half of Indiana. The electricity represents a highly reliable energy source for the company, which also buys wind-generated energy from facilities in White County, as well as Illinois and Iowa.  Wabash Valley is the electricity supplier for Carroll White REMC.

Carroll White REMC CEO Randy W. Price talks about the contributions and dedication that Melvin Coonrod had with REMC as well as Wabash Valley Power Association.

Double the Size, Twice the Power

Dignitaries cut the ribbon dedicating the Liberty III generating plant as well as the new Coonrod substation.

“With the completion of this project, Wabash Valley Power’s total generating capacity at the Liberty plant is 53.6 megawatts (MW),” said CWREMC CEO Randy W. Price.  “Throughout northern Indiana, our power supplier, Wabash Valley has built 16 generating facilities at 9 landfills. This local source of green energy represents a highly reliable energy source for Wabash Valley Power, who also purchases wind-generated energy from facilities in White County, as well as in Illinois and Iowa.

CW REMC board member Gary Gerlach, center, and his wife tour the Lib III generating plant after the ceremony.
The Coonrod family gathered to honor Melvin Coonrod on this honor.
CW REMC CEO Randy W. Price presents Melvin Coonrod with a plaque in his honor of having the local substation named after him for years of dedicated service to REMC and Wabash Valley Power Association.