Republic Services' Pine Bend Landfill to Produce Cleaner Fuel via RNG Facility

Strategic Insights -

A landmark agreement has been announced between OPAL Fuels LLC, a Fortistar portfolio company, NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC, and Republic Services, Inc. to build the first landfill renewable natural gas (RNG) production facility in Minnesota at the Pine Bend Landfill in Inver Grove Heights. This project will capture methane emissions and convert them into cleaner fuel for natural gas vehicles, reducing direct emissions by approximately 43,900 metric tons per year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pine Bend RNG Project will produce over 6 million gas gallon equivalents (GGE) of RNG per year, capturing 3,200 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas.
  • The project will create approximately 50-60 construction jobs and eliminate 43,900 metric tons of carbon emissions per year.
  • OPAL will operate and manage the RNG project, while clean renewable natural gas fuel will be dispensed to customers via OPAL's natural gas fueling stations.
  • The project is a significant step towards OPAL's goal of capturing the equivalent of more than 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually, which is equivalent to taking approximately 435,000 passenger cars off the road.
  • Republic Services is committed to sending 50% more landfill gas to beneficial reuse by 2030, with 20% of its fleet already powered by natural gas, including RNG derived from landfills.
  • The Pine Bend RNG Project directly supports Republic Services' goal of increasing beneficial reuse of landfill gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Inver Grove Heights Mayor Tom Bartholomew praised the project, stating it brings innovative new technology and jobs to the area, and is good for the state's economy and the environment.

Statistics:

  • Over 6 million gas gallon equivalents (GGE) of RNG will be produced per year at the Pine Bend Landfill LANF project.
  • 3,200 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of landfill gas will be captured and converted into RNG.
  • The project will create approximately 50-60 construction jobs.
  • The project will eliminate 43,900 metric tons of carbon emissions per year.
  • OPAL aims to capture the equivalent of more than 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually through its RNG production facilities.
  • Republic Services has 69 gas-to-energy projects at its landfills and 20% of its fleet is powered by natural gas.

Sources:

  • OPAL Fuels LLC
  • NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC
  • Republic Services, Inc.
  • Fortistar portfolio company
  • Inver Grove Heights City Council
  • Mayor Tom Bartholomew
  • NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
  • Fortistar.com
  • OPALFuels.com
  • NextEraEnergyResources.com