Ameresco and Republic Services Achieve Commercial Operation of Renewable Natural Gas Facility in Illinois

The recent commercial operation of a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at the Lee County Landfill in Dixon, Illinois, represents a pivotal advancement in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Developed through the partnership between Ameresco, a leader in energy solutions, and Republic Services, a prominent environmental services provider, this facility is the 15th such project completed by the duo. It underscores a shared commitment to transforming waste into clean energy, significantly reducing carbon emissions, and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources.

By capturing and processing landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG, the facility not only prevents the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere but also produces a low-carbon transportation fuel. This initiative is designed to process 4,500 standard cubic feet per minute of raw landfill gas, converting what was once flared gas into a valuable resource. The environmental impact is substantial, with projections indicating a reduction of over 61,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This is equivalent to the emissions from more than 70,000,000 gallons of gasoline or approximately 1,500,000 barrels of oil.

The project aligns with Illinois' ambitious renewable energy targets, including achieving 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. It also supports Republic Services' sustainability commitment to beneficially reuse over 50% of the biogas at all its locations by 2030. Ameresco's renewable fuel solutions and this latest facility exemplify how innovative energy projects can contribute to a circular economy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and bring meaningful environmental and economic benefits to local communities.

Tim Oudman, Republic Services Senior Vice President of Sustainability Innovations, highlighted the project's role in providing impactful decarbonization solutions. Similarly, Michael Bakas, President of Renewable Fuels at Ameresco, emphasized the importance of turning organic waste into renewable energy to support sustainability and energy resiliency. The RNG produced at the Lee County facility will be exclusively purchased by U.S. Energy, further promoting the use of clean, renewable fuels across the energy supply chain.

This project not only represents a significant achievement in renewable energy development but also serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing towards a more sustainable and energy-independent future.