EVENSOL, Republic Services Launch Landfill-to-RNG Projects in North Carolina

EVENSOL LLC, a renewable energy project developer specializing in biogas and methane mitigation, has announced the successful launch of two state-of-the-art renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in North Carolina.

The projects -  the Foothills Renewables Project in Caldwell County, NC, and the Upper Piedmont Renewables Project in Person County, NC - will covert gas from Republic Services’ landfills into RNG.

EVENSOL, based in Sisters, Ore., spearheaded the initiative, partnering with key stakeholders and investors that include equity investor Duke Energy, based in Charlotte, NC. The project received vital financial support via loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, arranged by Great Commercial Lending, for roughly $73 million.

"EVENSOL is thrilled to bring these projects online, providing a beneficial use for large volumes of landfill gas, while creating a valuable renewable energy source for the residents of North Carolina. We are grateful to all our project stakeholders, investors and lenders for their patience and support in bringing these historic facilities on-line, the first landfill gas to RNG facilities in North Carolina," said David Wentworth, President and CEO of EVENSOL.

The Foothills and Upper Piedmont Renewables Projects embrace the entire development lifecycle, including design, permitting, construction, commissioning, and operations of cutting-edge RNG facilities. Both facilities are designed and constructed by Energyneering Solutions, LLC (ESI). ESI will also oversee the ongoing operation of the facilities. Air Liquide, Guild Associates, Perennial Energy, and Vilter Manufacturing will serve as primary equipment providers for the projects.

"ESI enjoyed leveraging its many years of experience dedicated exclusively to the biogas industry to design and build these facilities. The real win for ESI and all the stakeholders involved is that ESI will also operate the facilities, relying on the intimate knowledge we have developed through their design and construction," said Benny Benson, president of ESI.

The RNG produced by these facilities is designated to serve as clean transportation fuel for commercial fleet vehicles. Each project is expected to generate up to 500,000 dekatherms of RNG annually, totaling 1 million Dth, which is equivalent to the average annual natural gas consumption of nearly 17,000 residential customers in North Carolina.

"We're excited for the Foothills and Upper Piedmont projects to join our growing portfolio of renewable natural gas investments," said Sasha Weintraub, Duke Energy senior vice president and president of Duke Energy's natural gas business unit. "Duke Energy is committed to supporting sustainable energy solutions, and we're proud to be an industry leader in the RNG space as we continue our journey toward a cleaner energy future."

The landfill RNG projects announced today directly contribute to Republic's long-term sustainability goal to beneficially reuse 50 percent more biogas by 2030.

"At Republic Services, our vision is to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world now and for future generations," said Republic Services Area President Shane Walker. "Through our partnership, these projects will allow us to convert landfill gas into a low-carbon fuel source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Projects like these are not only helping Republic Services meet our sustainability goals, but our customers' as well."

These newly operational RNG facilities stand as a testament to the transformative potential of renewable energy in reducing waste and mitigating methane emissions, further propelling the industry towards a greener and more sustainable future. EVENSOL's remarkable achievements, in collaboration with their partners, mark a significant step forward in the pursuit of cleaner, eco-friendly energy solutions.