A method and system for augmenting the heat energy of a plasma torch in a gassifier using chemical energy, including the steps of injecting a fuel in the proximity of a plasma torch inside the gassifier chamber; and injecting an oxidant in the proximity of a plasma torch inside the gassifier chamber. As apparatus, an enhanced plasma gassifier arrangement is of the type that has a gassifier chamber having an electrically operated plasma torch for issuing a plasma discharge into the gassifier chamber. A fuel injection arrangement is disposed to surround the electrically operated plasma torch for injecting a fuel and an oxidant into the gassifier chamber. A natural gas inlet delivers natural gas into the gassifier chamber, thereby enhancing the temperature within the gassifier chamber.