Republic, Archaea launch joint venture to develop RNG projects across US

Republic Services, Phoenix, and Archaea Energy, a Houston-based renewable natural gas (RNG) producer, have announced a joint venture to develop 39 RNG projects throughout the U.S.

Through the partnership, which Republic has described as the “largest RNG portfolio build-out to date,” the companies will convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG to be used for a variety of applications to displace gas from fossil fuels.

The initiative is expected to generate substantial progress toward Republic's long-term sustainability goal to beneficially reuse 50 percent more biogas by 2030.

“Sustainability is a platform for growth at Republic, and our continued investment in landfill gas-to-energy projects delivers meaningful environmental and economic benefits to our stakeholders,” says Jon Vander Ark, president and CEO of Republic. “Market demand for renewable natural gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is growing significantly and providing additional sources of RNG furthers Republic's ambitious sustainability goals, while also helping customers and communities meet their own climate action goals.”

Archaea Energy will develop, engineer, construct and operate the RNG facilities, which will be located at Republic landfills in 19 states. Construction is slated to begin on the projects in late 2022, with completion and commissioning planned through 2027.

When fully operational, the 39 projects are expected to generate more than 12.5 million metric million British thermal units (MMBtu) of RNG annually. The joint venture has signed a gas sale agreement with Republic to provide for the long-term ability to process landfill gas and sell RNG and related environmental attributes.

Archaea Energy will contribute approximately $800 million, and Republic will contribute approximately $300 million for a total investment of roughly $1.1 billion into the joint venture over the course of five years.

"We are honored to have been selected as Republic's partner for this monumental joint venture, which is the beginning of a renewable energy platform that will become a critical component of Archaea's mission to achieve best-in-class environmental stewardship and greenhouse gas emissions reductions," says Nick Stork, co-founder and CEO of Archaea. "We are focused on long-term, value-oriented capital investments that make a meaningful sustainability impact for future generations. We could not be more aligned in this vision with our partners at Republic, and we look forward to seeing the collective benefit this partnership will deliver to our respective shareholders, partners and communities."

The strategic partnership with Archaea is expected to expand Republic's renewable energy portfolio to more than 100 projects.