The program provides combined loan and grant funding for municipalities to build organic waste-to-energy systems. Projects must generate energy through landfill gas upgrading or direct use, anaerobic digestion of local organic waste, or energy recovery from composting, wastewater, or landfill geothermal systems.

All projects must demonstrate net greenhouse gas emission reductions and create a net energy benefit compared to current baseline operations. Applications must be supported by a completed GMF-funded feasibility study and demonstrate community support through council resolutions and appropriate impact assessment processes.

Eligible Energy Generation Methods:

• Upgrading or direct use of landfill gas
• Anaerobic digestion of local organic waste (food waste, yard waste, biosolids, organic fraction of construction/demolition waste, agricultural or forestry waste)
• Energy recovery from composting, wastewater, or landfill geothermal systems

Key Project Requirements:

• Must be based on completed feasibility study
• Net GHG emissions reduction compared to baseline
• Net energy benefit relative to current operations
• Community support and council approval
• Climate resilience requirements (outside 100-year floodplain or with flood protection)
• Climate risk assessment for projects over $2 million