Republic, Archaea partner on Middle Point Landfill RNG project

Republic Services, a Phoenix-based environmental services company, and Archaea Energy, Houston, a renewable natural gas (RNG) producer, have announced plans to build an RNG facility at Middle Point Landfill through the companies’ joint venture, Lightning Renewables LLC. 

The project will convert the gas that occurs naturally as waste decomposes at Middle Point Landfill, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, into pipeline-quality RNG that can be used as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.

After hearing from Rutherford County officials about their interest in a local renewable energy project, the Republic-Archaea partnership decided to help the county realize that ambition.

“At Republic Services, we’re putting sustainability in action through partnerships and projects like this one at Middle Point Landfill,” Area President for Republic Services Jamey Amick says. “Combined with significant investments we have made in the landfill gas system to control the potential for off-site odor, this project will further propel gas collection at the site. We know how important sustainability is to this community, and we are delighted to bring this innovative solution to Rutherford County and middle Tennessee.”

Rutherford County Commissioner Craig Harris says he’s pleased Republic is investing in the county and “making great strides to have a better relationship with the county moving forward.

“Republic has been before the county’s public works committee several times since 2018. We told them the county wanted renewable energy, and they have delivered,” he adds.

Archaea CEO and founder Nick Stork says he’s “excited” to work with Republic Services on a variety of RNG projects.

“We are aligned with Republic Services in their vision to make a meaningful sustainability impact in local communities and contribute to climate solutions on a broader scale,” he says.

The Middle Point Landfill project will create clean energy resources, help control off-site odor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to Republic Services’ long-term sustainability goal to reuse 50 percent more biogas by 2030, says the company. RNG projects bring local and global environmental benefits with few negative impacts on the local community.  

Using EPA estimates, the projected annual environmental benefits from the project will be equivalent to the carbon sequestered by more than 800,000 acres of U.S. forests in one year, says Republic.

The previously announced Lightning Renewables LLC joint venture includes plans to develop 39 new RNG projects at landfills owned or operated by Republic Services across the country. The Middle Point project is part of the first phase of development for the joint venture.

Republic Services is involved in 77 renewable energy projects at its landfills across the country, which generate electricity, as well as RNG, and help customers and communities meet their own sustainability goals. When used as a transportation fuel, RNG can reduce emissions by up to 70 percent. Today, RNG powers 21 percent of Republic’s fleet.

Archaea operates 13 RNG facilities across the U.S. and has an RNG development backlog of approximately 90 projects, which it plans to develop and construct over the next several years.