CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A new project in the works in Charleston will turn garbage into electricity.

It is called the “Landfill Gas to Electricity” Program and Charleston will be the first city in the state to have such a site.

The landfill will produce enough electricity to power more than 2,000 homes.

“This is a renewable resource. So it’s constantly regenerating itself, so as long as waste continues to come into the landfill the landfill will continue to produce gas and more gas,” said Thomas Loehr from Charleston Clean Energy.

Landfills produce methane- it’s a gas that is not good for the environment. This gas to electricity program will eliminate pollution equal to taking 15,000 cars off the road.

“This pollution is being converted to a usable resource, renewable energy, which creates electricity, what we used to power our homes and things of that nature,” said Loehr.

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones says this is one more step to make the city greener, by getting the community involved.

“We’re turning trash into electricity. They know when the packer pulls up to their house and picks up the trash. The gas off that will eventually turn into electricity,” the Mayor said.

A private company is behind the project, but the city will make money off the gas to electricity program.

Charleston could make as much as $150,000 a year in gas royalties.

The site should be up and running by next year, but the electricity made at the landfill can’t be used in our area, because of utility regulations.