County officials say Yonkers wastewater project will cut flared methane; details, costs not yet final

County staff told the committee that a project at the Yonkers Wastewater Treatment Plant is intended to capture methane that is currently flared and convert it into an energy source usable by engines, substantially reducing the visible flare. Erica Pierce asked whether the plant's emissions and energy use were included in the county's greenhouse-gas accounting; staff confirmed the Yonkers capture project is on the county's project list and will affect operational emissions once fully online.

Peter McCart described the plant's existing flare and said the new capture approach would not completely eliminate the flare but could make it "almost obsolete," noting the captured gas is lower quality and requires specialized engines. The committee did not review project costs or a construction schedule in the session and asked staff for future updates as the project moves toward operation.