Ameresco and Republic Services Begin Operations of Major Renewable Natural Gas Facility at Roxana Landfill

Ameresco, a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, has announced the successful start of operations at its new renewable natural gas (RNG) plant at Republic Services' Roxana Landfill in Edwardsville, Illinois, US. The facility, which is a result of a joint venture between Ameresco and Republic Services, marks a significant milestone in both companies’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.

With a capacity to produce 1.4 million dekatherms of RNG annually, the facility is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 82,000 metric tons per year. This is equivalent to the annual emissions from approximately 5,000 passenger vehicles or the energy consumption of around 2,500 homes. The project exemplifies the growing potential of transforming landfill waste into a valuable renewable energy source, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional energy production.

The Roxana RNG facility captures naturally occurring landfill gas (LFG) and processes it into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. This low-carbon fuel will be used to replace fossil fuels in a nearby natural gas transmission pipeline operated by Energy Transfer, further advancing the energy sector’s shift towards renewable resources. The facility, one of the largest of its kind in North America, is capable of processing 6,000 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of raw landfill gas.

Tim Oudman, Senior Vice President of Sustainability Innovation at Republic Services, emphasized the company’s long-term sustainability goals. “At Republic Services, our commitment is to beneficially reuse 50% more biogas at our locations by 2030,” Oudman said. “Through partnerships like this, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting energy demands and advancing environmental sustainability.”

The Roxana RNG plant is also an important step in supporting Illinois’ renewable energy goals. The state has committed to achieving 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050.

This facility is the 14th joint renewable energy project between Ameresco and Republic Services, with additional projects in various stages of development. The collaboration between the two companies represents a shared vision of advancing the circular economy—transforming waste into reliable, renewable energy. “This marks a historic moment in Ameresco’s 22-year partnership with Republic Services,” said Michael Bakas, President of Renewable Fuels at Ameresco. “Together, we are turning waste into a sustainable energy solution that will have a positive, long-term impact on our environment.”

The Roxana facility also highlights the ongoing expansion of Ameresco’s renewable energy portfolio, which includes the development, construction, and operation of energy-efficient projects across North America and Europe. Ameresco continues to work with a wide range of customers, including government agencies, utilities, and commercial enterprises, to deliver clean energy solutions and help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.