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When we say the H.W. Hill Landfill Gas Power Plant at Roosevelt, Wash. generates “green power,” just how green is green?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says landfill gas-fueled plants are as green as it gets. In fact, the federal agency says, “This technology is the only renewable source of power that actually removes pollution from the air.”

The PUD plant is even part of its “Landfill Methane Outreach Program” to help promote the project. It is one of 120 landfill gas plants in the country.

EPA is a fan of landfill gas-to-energy projects because methane, a natural by-product of solid waste decomposition, is a potent greenhouse gas. In fact it is 20 times more damaging that carbon dioxide, and landfills are the single largest source of methane emissions in the U.S.

Until the power plant was built, the methane was collected and "flared." Today, it is put to constructive use -- generating electricity -- instead.

EPA estimates that up to 600 billion cubic feet of methane from landfills is released into the atmosphere each year. That much gas could be used to generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to serve 3 million homes.

The State of Washington also considers landfill gas plants "green" power producers. It gives the plant the same sales tax exemptions given to wind and solar power projects.