Republic Plans Landfill Gas-to-Energy Unit Near Los Angeles

Republic Services Inc. will establish a landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) facility near Los Angeles.

The Phoenix-based Republic said it is planning a 20-megawatt renewable energy operation at its Sunshine Canyon Landfill. The facility will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power nearly 25,000 homes.

Republic partnered with Sunshine Gas Producers, a joint venture between DTE Biomass Energy and Aria Energy, to develop the facility, according to a news release.

“Sunshine Canyon Landfill has enabled growth in Los Angeles for decades, and now it will be there to help a great community achieve its sustainability goals," said Ron Krall, Republic area president.

Republic serves more than 100 jurisdictions throughout Los Angeles County, operating about 480 hauling routes per day. The company employs about 2,000 people in Los Angeles County and operates six transfer stations, one recycling center and a landfill in the area.

Republic operates eight LFGTE projects in California, and 73 total LFGTE projects nationally.
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based DTE Biomass builds and operates facilities that convert landfill gas into energy. Aria Energy, headquartered in Novi, Mich., provides renewable energy to utilities and other customers.

Republic has been active in 2015 on LFGTE projects. In April it announced plans to start a project at its Upstate Regional Landfill In Union County, S.C., that will generate 3,200 kilowatts of energy.

More broadly, the moves are part of the company’s new sustainability plan announced in March. The initiative, called Blue Planet, focuses on five pillars of sustainability: safety, operations, materials management, communities and people. It emphasizes reduced emissions, renewable energy and new landfill technology, among other factors.

Part of that plan is to develop at least two landfill gas and renewable energy projects annually.