Avista announces landfill RNG projects

Avista, a Spokane, Washington-based energy company serving the Pacific Northwest, has signed an agreement with Pine Creek RNG to purchase renewable natural gas (RNG) to be produced at the Bayview Landfill in Elberta, Utah.

The Bayview Landfill project is expected to begin production in early 2024 with an expected output of 1.6 million therms annually.

“Pine Creek is pleased to expand our relationship with Avista, who has been an excellent offtake partner on multiple projects,” Pine Creek Vice President of Development Kevin Orchard says. “This latest announcement reflects the continuation of our cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Avista. We’re looking forward to additional opportunities to support Avista’s climate goals and expansion into the RNG market.”

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RNG is derived from organic waste that would otherwise release methane to the environment as it decomposes. These sources include landfills, wastewater treatment plants and food waste. RNG is produced by capturing methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and purifying it to make it very similar to conventional natural gas.

Avista also has partnered with Denver-based Pine Creek on two RNG projects in Richland, Washington, including at the Horn Rapids Landfill, owned by Richland, and Lamb Weston’s potato processing plant.

Construction is expected to be complete in both projects by the end of 2023 and they are projected to produce 2.5 million therms of RNG annually.

Avista also has contracted with Pine Creek at the Black Hawk County Landfill in Waterloo, Iowa, which is expected to begin production in early 2024 and  should produce 2.6 million therms annually.

The total output of the Pine Creek projects contracted with Avista is an expected 6.7 million therms annually, which is equivalent to the natural gas used by approximately 95,096 Oregon homes.

“These RNG projects help Avista meet our aspirational goals to reduce natural gas emissions 30 percent by 2030 and to be carbon neutral in our natural gas operations by 2045,” Avista Chief Strategy and Clean Energy Officer Jason Thackston says. “Additionally, legislative changes have laid the groundwork for utilities, such as Avista, to enter the RNG market as developers, long-term buyers and long-term partners to help grow and mature the RNG market in North America.”