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Q&A
Update on Newtown Creek Wastewater Recovery Facility operations
1:08:32
·
3 min
Council Member Nurse inquires about the current status of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Recovery Facility, focusing on methane capture, gas-to-grid system performance, and organic waste processing. Commissioner Aggarwala provides detailed updates on the facility's operations.
- The gas-to-grid system had initial challenges but has significantly improved performance
- In 2024, the system operated 87% of the time, reducing flaring by 83%
- DEP now provides real-time data on the facility's operations on their website and NYC Open Data
- The facility is receiving increased organic waste from the expanded citywide organics collection program
- Aggarwala agrees to provide follow-up data on the tonnage of organic waste processed at the facility
Sandy Nurse
1:08:32
would repeat that.
1:08:33
My last question is related to the Newtown Creek Wastewater Recovery Facility.
1:08:41
It's been a minute since I've put my mind towards that.
1:08:44
How are we doing?
1:08:46
Are we capturing methane?
1:08:48
Are we flaring it off still?
Rohit Aggarwala
1:08:53
So in fact, and maybe one of you could look up the numbers.
1:08:58
Oh no, I've got them here actually.
1:09:02
You know, I think it was well publicized that the first year of operation of the gas to grid system had some teething problems.
1:09:12
Mhmm.
1:09:13
And and I will give credit to National Grid.
1:09:17
I was on the phone with them somewhat constantly that first year and they kept saying this is a really piece of really complex piece of equipment.
1:09:26
It is gonna have some problems in its first year.
1:09:28
That's always gonna be the case.
1:09:29
Trust us, it'll get better.
1:09:31
And in fairness, it did.
1:09:33
So the numbers I have here, in 2023 it was operating only 40% of the time in calendar year '23.
1:09:42
In 2024 it was operating 87% of the time.
1:09:46
Right?
1:09:47
Now it's design, I believe the design target was was a little more than 90%.
1:09:54
Any piece of equipment like this is going to have to be taken out of service for scheduled maintenance.
1:09:59
So 100% is never you know a viable target.
1:10:03
And you know in 2024 we reduced flaring by 83% versus what we would have had without the gas to grid system.
1:10:15
One of the things we did in response to some of the complaints that were received in that first year is, as I think you know, we've now put the data all on our website.
1:10:25
Okay.
1:10:26
So that there is a
Sandy Nurse
1:10:28
live I'm trying to keep up.
1:10:28
I didn't know that.
Rohit Aggarwala
1:10:29
No.
1:10:29
There there is a a a live indicator in real time that shows whether the system is operating.
1:10:38
We also have monthly data so you can see the recent performance on our website and the data is also published to NYC Open Data.
Sandy Nurse
1:10:47
Okay.
1:10:48
And have you all increased, and sorry if I'm, it's been a while since I've been to those facilities, but the material from the curbside organics collection program, have you all been increasing that towards the Newtown Creek facility?
Rohit Aggarwala
1:11:05
We have.
1:11:06
So we certainly are receiving more, I'm not sure I have the data here, would have to get you the data on how much it has gone up.
1:11:15
I don't have the tonnage I fear.
1:11:17
But that has been certainly successful and as the city, as the Department of Sanitation has been expanding the citywide organics collection, the Newtown Creek plant is receiving a good chunk of that.
1:11:33
Okay.
1:11:33
So I'm happy to get you the data.
Sandy Nurse
1:11:34
That would be great to have him a follow-up.
1:11:36
Okay.
1:11:36
Thank you so much.