EV301 Trip Section to the Wheelabrator

Cadets from USMA’s EV301 Environmental Science class travelled to Peekskill, NY, to view the generation of energy from combusting municipal solid waste. Wheelabrator Westchester L.P. generates approximately 60,000 kW of electricity, enough to supply 88,000 New York homes, by burning household and commercial trash from throughout Westchester County. Cadets saw firsthand how 2,250 tons of waste per day is incinerated and then converted to mechanical energy before being distributed into the electric grid. Cadets also learned about air pollution control devices that are used to ensure that the exhaust gases meet federal emission standards.