The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), located in downtown Minneapolis, is a waste-to-energy facility that burns garbage to generate energy. HERC provides reliable, renewable electricity that is sold to Xcel Energy and steam that supplies the downtown district energy system and Target Field.

HERC facts

  • About 365,000 tons of garbage is burned at HERC to provide enough electricity for 25,000 homes each year. Electricity generated at HERC is sold to Xcel Energy.
  • Through the steam line, HERC provides enough steam for the annual natural gas needs of 1,500 homes to buildings in downtown Minneapolis and Target Field.
  • Residents and businesses in Hennepin County generate 1 million tons of garbage every year. Processing waste at HERC is an environmentally preferable alternative to landfilling waste.
  • More than 11,000 tons of ferrous metal are recovered every year at HERC and recycled.
  • Processing one ton of waste at HERC prevents the release of one ton of greenhouse gas emissions. Since HERC opened in 1990, processing waste has prevented the release of 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Take a virtual tour of HERC by watching our new video

Learn more about how waste is managed in the county and how HERC generates energy from garbage.

HERC – More Power than You Know:

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"Waste Not" video projection explores waste through art

As part of the summer 2011 North Spark festival, artist Christopher Baker displayed this video projection, entitled "Waste Not," on the walls of HERC to highlight the true scale of our waste production and energy usage.

HERC wins national waste-to-energy excellence award

In August 2011, HERC  received a Waste-to-Energy Excellence Award at the Gold level from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management.

Learn more about HERC's Excellence Award.

Proposal to use the capacity of HERC

On behalf of Hennepin County, Covanta Energy is proposing that the HERC be allowed to operate at capacity, increasing the amount of electricity and steam produced at the facility. This would also increase the amount of waste processed at HERC.

Some of the benefits of this proposal include reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, helping the county comply with the Minnesota Waste Management Act, and producing more electricity and steam.

Hennepin County and Covanta Energy prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for this proposal as required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). An EAW is part of the MPCA's environmental review process and is intended gather and disclose information about potential environmental impacts of a project.

Learn more about the proposal.

Learn more about HERC

How is waste converted to energy?

Waste delivered to HERC is burned to create high-pressure steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity. A portion of the steam is diverted to the steam line. State-of-the-art emission control technology is used to treat flue gases and control air emissions.

Learn more about how HERC works.

Environmental benefits of HERC

Waste-to-energy is a clean, reliable and renewable source of energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The HERC facility processes waste that is best managed by combustion, which is waste that is not recycled or composted. Processing waste at HERC is environmentally preferable to landfilling garbage. 

Learn more about the environmental benefits of HERC.

The county solid waste plan

HERC is just one part of the county’s solid waste management plan. The county’s plan emphasizes preventing waste, recycling and composting. The county’s plan has been approved by the State of Minnesota and is consistent with state laws, policies and goals. 

HERC history

An overview of the site selection, construction and ownership of HERC.

Frequently asked questions about HERC

Answers to frequently asked questions, including:

  • How are air emissions controlled at HERC?
  • How does HERC reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Is waste a renewable resource?
  • How does waste-to-energy affect recycling?
  • Instead of sending garbage to HERC, can't we just reduce waste and recycle more?
  • How is the ash managed?
  • What is done to monitor and control odors at HERC?