As reported by the Capital-Gazette, Anne Arundel County officials recently unveiled a new system at its Millersville landfill that will convert the gas generated from decomposing trash into electricity.

Officials unveiled a miniature power plant Tuesday that’s fueled by gas generated from decomposing trash. The electricity produced at the landfill will be enough to power 2,000 homes.

It cost $6.7 million to build the system, but the county expects to make enough money from selling electricity to the power grid – at least $500,000 per year – to pay back the construction bonds, pay for electricity at the landfill and invest money in other energy-efficiency programs.

“We’re taking a liability and turning it into an asset,” County Executive John R. Leopold said during a ceremony at the landfill in Severn.