In 2011, 65% of Palo Alto voters approved Measure E, making 10 acres of the former landfill site - adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant - available for an organic waste conversion facility. Our goal is to convert sewage sludge, food waste and/or yard trimmings into renewable energy and compost.

The Measure E site has yet to be utilized, but promising technologies exist and are evolving rapidly. Sustainable technologies will be necessary for Palo Alto to meet its ambitious climate protection goals and prepare for inevitable new environmental regulations.

Silicon Valley Clean Water in Redwood City utilizes pyrolysis to convert sewage sludge into renewable energy and biochar, a soil amendment that sequesters carbon dioxide. Pyrolysis also destroys toxic PFAS in sewage sludge.

Join us in encouraging City Council to preserve our options for the Measure E site, and not prematurely return it to "parkland." Council will consider the issue on April 3.

Please sign our petition to City Council here.