Republic Services, Aria Energy announce expansion of Indiana landfill gas-to-energy project

Republic Services Inc., Phoenix, and Aria Energy, Novi, Michigan, have announced an expansion of the landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project at Republic’s County Line Landfill in Argos, Indiana. The project, which began operating in 2014, was expanded to 7.6 megawatts from 6 megawatts, increasing its use of biogas by 25 percent. The project expansion directly supports Republic's commitment to divert 50 percent more landfill gas to beneficial reuse by 2030, the company says.

Aria developed, owns and operates the LFGTE project at the County Line Landfill. The electricity generated from the project is sold to the Wabash Valley Power Alliance under a long-term power purchase agreement. The expanded County Line LFGTE facility is capable of generating enough renewable energy to power more than 4,800 area homes annually.

"Last year, Republic Services set a long-term sustainability goal to send 50 percent more landfill gas to beneficial reuse by 2030," Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, says. "The expansion of the landfill gas-to-energy project at County Line Landfill is a key milestone in helping us meet that goal."

LFGTE projects typically involve capturing methane from biogas, which is generated by the decomposition of waste within a landfill. The methane is converted into renewable energy sources, in this case electricity that supplies the power grid. This process can displace the use of fossil fuels for energy generation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a community. Across the country, Republic is partnering on 69 landfill gas projects.

Based on Environmental Protection Agency calculations, the expanded County Line LFGTE project prevents carbon emissions equivalent to the consumption of more than 43 million gallons of gasoline annually. The EPA estimates that 7.6 megawatts of energy produced from landfill gas equates to a total equivalent emission reduction of over 44,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

"Utilizing low carbon biomethane sources such as landfill gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps improve local air," Richard DiGia, president and CEO of Aria Energy, says. "This project expansion furthers our commitment to producing clean, renewable electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses across the U.S."