Ameresco to build RNG plant at Utah landfill

US cleantech integrator Ameresco Inc (NYSE:AMRC) is set to build a landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) plant at a landfill in the city of Layton, Utah, after securing the project from a local waste management district.

Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District (WIWMD), which manages waste disposal and recycling in Davis and Morgan Counties, Utah, has selected Ameresco to design and build the plant at its Davis Landfill, Ameresco announced on Wednesday.

The RNG processing facility will capture landfill gas, primarily composed of methane generated by the decomposing organic waste, and transform it into renewable energy resource.

“By transforming landfill gas into renewable natural gas (RNG), we're taking a significant step toward creating a cleaner planet. This approach makes sense -- why drill for natural gas that is sequestered deep in the earth when we can harness what's already in our atmosphere?,” said Michael Bakas, Executive Vice President of Ameresco.

Once in operation, the Davis plant expected to replace the use of over 8 million British thermal units (BTUs) of fossil fuels annually, and avoid the release of over 953 million pounds (432,274 tonnes) of CO2 emissions from landfill gas per year, according to Ameresco’s figures.

Ameresco will be the owner of the Davis RNG plant and responsible for a range of duties on this project, including design, engineering, construction, commissioning and operation.

Davis RNG makes Ameresco’s second landfill gas beneficial use arrangement with WIWMD.

Nathan Rich, Executive Director of WIWMD, commented: “Turning an environmental liability into a renewable energy source is a great way to meet the mission of the district. After commissioning the first landfill gas to energy project in Utah almost 20 years ago, we are looking forward to updating the project to a modern RNG plant to supply the current energy market.”

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