Altamont Donates Equipment to Renewable Energy Center

Altamont was pleased to donate three Dell Pentium 4 Desktop Computers with keyboards and flat-panel monitors to EnergyXchange in Burnsville, NC.  EnergyXchange is a renewable energy project nestled in the Black Mountains of Western North Carolina, adjacent to the Yancey-Mitchell County Solid Waste Landfill and Transfer Facility.  Methane gas from the decomposing trash in a closed municipal solid waste landfill powers ovens for glass blowers and a pottery kiln, and supplies radiant heat for art studios and a greenhouse.  It is estimated to save $1 million in energy costs over the landfill’s 20-year reuse cycle.  The complex includes four greenhouses, three cold frames, a retail craft gallery, visitor center, clay studio and glass studio.  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the environmental impact of the project is equivalent to planting 14,000 acres of trees or taking 21,000 cars off the road in North Carolina each year.