U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., has delivered on the $1,968,000 in fiscal year 2008 funds he earlier secured to help Munster construct and equip a methane gas cogeneration plant at Centennial Park.

"Innovative energy sources like waste to energy cogeneration are an important piece of our energy mix and part of the solution to our energy crisis," Visclosky said. "The methane gas cogeneration facility that will be built at Centennial Park in Munster is an important local endeavor that will help our country better utilize its energy resources and proceed on the path toward energy independence."

The Department of Energy funding that Visclosky delivered to Munster will be used to help install micro-turbines that produce electricity from methane gas being produced by the capped landfill beneath Centennial Park. Instead of wasting the power resource, the micro-turbines burn the gas in an energy-producing flare.

A study of the site found that there is sufficient gas to meet the electricity needs of the entire park and sell additional electricity to the local power grid. The cogeneration project will create a local energy source, reduce harmful emissions, and make use of waste materials.

On July 1, Visclosky announced that he secured an additional $1 million in fiscal year 2009 funds for the project.

"Thanks to Congressman Visclosky, methane gas generated at the former landfill site in Munster will not be wasted, but will be used to generate electricity that will power facilities at the new Centennial Park and elsewhere in town," said Dave Shafer, Munster clerk-treasurer.