The Berkeley County Public Utilities Committee voted to award a $2,260,850 contract to SES Field Services to expand the county’s landfill gas‑to‑energy system.

Ms. Wheat, the project presenter, said the expansion would add 50 new gas wells to the existing 120 on the landfill. She told the committee the expansion is the first since 2018 (previous system work in 2012; original system installed in 2009) and the request followed a closed RFP that ended September 30. The goal is to raise gas flow from an estimated current effective flow of about 200 SCFM to roughly 700 SCFM so on‑site engines can operate; she said the county has not received payments this past year because gas quality has been low. Since 2016, the county has averaged about $63,000 per year from gas sales, Ms. Wheat said. She also referenced DHEC/DES requirements related to landfill gas operations.

A motion to award the contract was made and seconded and carried on a voice vote.

What it means: Increasing the number of extraction wells is intended to improve methane capture and restore engine operation, which could resume revenue to the county if gas quality and flow meet buyer requirements. The contract award authorizes county staff to proceed with the expansion under the terms presented to the committee.

Provenance: Ms. Wheat’s presentation and the motion are on the record (topic intro: SEG 352; topic finish: SEG 399).