Surry County is certainly not the first locality to do this, but the board of commissioners’ decision to install a methane collection process at the county landfill puts the community at the forefront of green technology use.

The commissioners, along with other area and regional officials, gathered yesterday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

The landfill naturally produces methane, which is released into the atmosphere where it contributes to greenhouse gas build-up cited as a significant cause behind global warming. The collection process will keep that methane from escaping into the atmosphere and use it to generate electricity — enough electricity, according to the county — to meet the energy needs of hundreds of homes annually.

That’s electricity generated from a natural process, without damaging the environment, and Surry County stands to make a bit of income off the process as well, a welcome source of revenue in this economically tight time.

This has been a project a long time in the making, and all those who have served on the board during this period, from today back to a decade ago when the system was first considered, should be commended for taking a progressive approach to the use of technology and waste disposal.

Hopefully other communities will follow the example set by the local board.