Paradise recovered: energy production and waste management in island environments

In this study, we investigate the conclusions of a previous study by the authors regarding the competitiveness of waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies with data from Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's situation matches many of the conditions laid out in the earlier study and the island is currently seeking to modernize its energy production and waste management options. Examining production and environmental costs, we find that modern pollution control technology, high-energy production costs, and limited availability of suitable landfill sites render WTE facilities an economically and environmentally attractive option for Puerto Rico. Similar results likely hold in other island environments.