The project has been in development for more than six years. It’s intended to increase the county’s recycling rate to more than 85%, as well as extending the life of the landfill on the Gaviota coast. An Anaerobic Digestion Facility will process organic materials, and allow methane and carbon dioxide to be converted into electricity. It’s estimated the process will reduce carbon dioxide pollution by about 110,000 metric tons a year.

The Tajiguas project is a public-private partnership with MSB Investors of San Luis Obispo, which will design and build the facility. Work will begin next March, with the facility expected to be online in 2019.