CANONSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Vision RNG and Meridian Waste celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the State of Missouri’s first Landfill Gas (LFG) to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at Meridian’s Eagle Ridge Landfill in Bowling Green, Missouri.
This marks the efforts of the VRNG/Meridian Waste partnership over the past 18 months to reach this significant milestone. The plant takes LFG from the landfill, which would be otherwise flared, and converts it to a renewable energy resource. The RNG is delivered to a nearby Panhandle Eastern pipeline and sold to energy company US Energy for distribution to its customers.
Conversion of LFG to RNG is one of just a few processes that offers significant energy AND environmental benefits at the same time. LFG is composed 50% methane (natural gas) and about 45% carbon dioxide. The methane component offers significant renewable energy benefits, while controlling and using the methane and carbon dioxide offer significant environmental benefits as both are significant greenhouse contributors.
The plant processes about 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute of raw LFG and produces about 350,000 MMbtu per year of RNG. This is equivalent to producing 3,070,175 gallons of gasoline. The RNG can be used in a variety of energy and environmentally beneficial ways including:
- Use as a transportation fuel in CNG powered vehicles and other sustainable fuel uses.
- Use by industrial and other commercial companies as a substitute for natural gas.
- Use by customers to generate renewable electricity.
- Use by customers to reduce their carbon footprint to meet sustainability goals.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the VRNG team that worked tirelessly over the last several months to make this plant a reality,” said Bill Johnson, CEO of VRNG. “We especially want to recognize our partners at Meridian Waste and our off-take partner US Energy. This is the first of more than a dozen such plants VRNG will be constructing and bringing on-line over the next 18-24 months, including two more with our partners at Meridian Waste.”
“Few consider garbage a resource,” opened Mary O’Brien, Meridian Waste’s Chief Marketing Officer at the ribbon cutting event today at Eagle Ridge Landfill. “However, here at Meridian Waste, we believe in taking a less wasteful approach to garbage. We are honored to be Vision RNG’s first operating clean energy project through this state-of-the-art landfill gas to renewable natural gas plant behind me and to have US Energy deliver the environmentally beneficial fuel to multiple users to power their infrastructure needs.”
“Not only does this partnership mark our first RNG offtake agreement in Missouri, but the first landfill gas to RNG project in the state," shared Bryan Nudelbacher, vice president of business development—RNG at U.S. Energy. “We're seeing increased demand for RNG from the transportation and voluntary markets. The industry needs more projects like this to come online in new regions to help meet market demand. We commend Vision RNG and Meridian Waste on their investment in this LFG to RNG plant and are honored to have been selected as the gas offtake partner.”
About Vision RNG:
Vision RNG, supported by Vision Ridge Partners is a leading developer, owner, and operator of LFG to RNG facilities. VRNG has assembled a team of industry leaders and talent focused on using and maximizing the benefit of using LFG for our partners on both the landfill side as well as the off-take site. To learn more, visit www.VisionRNG.com.
About Meridian Waste:
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Meridian Waste is a company defined by its commitment to servicing its customers, caring for and engaging its employees, and generating financial value for its shareholders while delivering a clean and healthy community. The company’s core waste business is centered on residential, commercial, and industrial non-hazardous waste collection and disposal. Currently, the company operates in Northeast Fla., St. Louis, Mo., Goldston, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tn., Blacksburg, Va., Harrisonburg, Va., and Richmond, Va., servicing more than 303,831 residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers. In addition to a fleet of commercial, residential, and roll-off trucks, the company operates 14 hauling companies, five transfer stations and materials recovery facilities (MRFs), two municipal solid waste landfills and four C&D landfills in which 914,639 tons of waste are safely disposed of annually. For more information, visit www.MeridianWaste.com.
About U.S. Energy:
U.S. Energy, a U.S. Venture company, is a leading vertically integrated solutions provider proficient in refined products, alternative fuels, and environmental credits. Over our 70-year tenure, we’ve diversified throughout the energy supply chain—offering realistic, executable strategies that satisfy your economic and environmental goals. From energy project development, distribution, and marketing through wholesale, commercial, and retail channels, we partner with organizations—providing comprehensive support for any fuel or energy type. U.S. Energy's asset portfolio of more than 30 refined product terminals, 40 renewable natural gas development projects, 50 alternative fuel stations, and two forestry projects helps our customers Stay Ahead®. Driven to be the very best and most trusted energy solutions provider dedicated to finding a better way toward a sustainable future, U.S. Energy is uniquely positioned to help organizations navigate the evolving energy industry. For more information, visit www.US-Energy.com.
