Waste Connections of Canada to Invest $50M with Support from Enbridge Gas

CHATHAM, ON  – To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Ontario reach its climate change goals, including the province’s plan to phase out emissions from landfills by 2030, Waste Connections of Canada (Waste Connections) with the support of Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas), is proposing to build a brand new renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at the Waste Connections Ridge Landfill in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. The renewable natural gas will then flow through new and existing Enbridge Gas infrastructure to transport to market.

Waste Connections of Canada will invest over $50 million to develop the proposed Ridge RNG facility. The facility will capture landfill gas generated by decomposing waste and transform it into low carbon renewable natural gas. From there, the RNG created will be injected into Enbridge Gas’ local natural gas distribution system that supplies gas to homes and businesses. The project is expected to reduce an excess of 110,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually. This is enough green energy to heat over 18,000 Ontario homes every year—or about 40 percent of the homes in Chatham-Kent.

This significant investment will support Ontario’s economic recovery and unlock the potential for local clean energy production when it is needed most. Enbridge Gas’ experienced pipeline contractors will use many local resources to build the facility and related pipeline. It is estimated that the RNG facility would create close to 50 development and construction jobs as well as several highly skilled permanent operational jobs.

The proposed project includes construction at the Waste Connections Ridge Landfill of a new landfill gas recovery and upgrading facility and an RNG injection station. A new 4-inch diameter, 5.7 km pipeline will also be put in place that will run from Enbridge Gas’ Chatham East Line at Blenheim North Station to the new injection station located at the Waste Connections Ridge Landfill. The Ridge RNG facility will be comprised of an upgrading and compression system to convert landfill gas to high-quality renewable natural gas.

This state-of-the-art project will transform Waste Connections Ridge Landfill waste into low-carbon energy, which will be injected into the local natural gas distribution system. Using renewable natural gas as a low-carbon energy source to heat homes, power businesses and fuel vehicle fleets effectively helps companies and communities achieve Ontario’s GHG reduction goal.

If approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), construction could begin in the spring of 2023 and be complete by the end of 2023.

“Waste Connections’ commitment to sustainability through significant investment in facilities like this enables the company to provide consumers with a reliable source of renewable natural gas. Waste Connections operates eight of these RNG facilities including one of the largest in North America. We’re proud to reduce emissions an excess of 110,000 tonnes of GHG per year in the municipality of Chatham-Kent.” Dan Pio, President, Waste Connections of Canada

“Enbridge Gas is leading the way to a low-carbon future by connecting RNG producers to consumers, providing technical expertise and offering energy marketing services. Working with solution-based companies like Waste Connections of Canada and communities like Chatham-Kent is just one example of the steps we’re taking to support the transition to a low-carbon future.” Jim Redford, VP of Energy Services, Gas Distribution and Storage, Enbridge Gas 

“The $50-million-dollar investment into our community is very important from an economic standpoint as are the 50 jobs that will be created. The fact that the project involves using technology to convert what is essentially a waste by-product into a gas that will heat our homes and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions makes it even better. This type of development represents the best of both worlds and puts Chatham-Kent at the leading-edge of energy transition.” Darrin Canniff, Mayor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

“Today, I was proud to take this opportunity to announce Ontario’s plan to phase out emissions from landfills by 2030. Projects like the Waste Connections of Canada's landfill gas to renewable natural gas facility in Chatham-Kent helps our government reduce Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions and helps us reach our 2030 climate goals. Reducing the environmental impacts of waste has been a top priority for our government. Being able to reduce GHG emissions by 110,000 tonnes, create nearly 50 jobs, while producing enough green energy annually to heat over 18,000 Ontario homes, is a testament to the end-of-life destinations available for GHG producing waste. I would like to commend Waste Connections Canada for their leadership on this project.” The Honourable David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 

“Ontario is proud to be one of the world’s leading clean energy hubs thanks to innovative solutions, such as this one from Waste Connections and Enbridge Gas. Low-carbon energy solutions like renewable natural gas play an important role in supporting our province’s reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future, while also helping to create jobs and economic growth for people and businesses across Chatham-Kent.”  The Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Energy

·This RNG project presents a tremendous opportunity for Ontario and the development of a green economy. It affordably and practically reduces emissions, leverages existing energy infrastructure, and stimulates regional economic development. 

·The decomposition of waste in landfills, generates landfill gas which can be converted to renewable natural gas.

·Waste Connections currently operates eight RNG facilities in North America including the largest landfill gas to RNG facility in Canada located in Lachenaie, Quebec.

·Municipalities and those who use RNG to operate their fleets of trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles, are leading the way to a zero-carbon footprint.

o   Waste Connections has a current fleet of 282 compressed natural gas trucks in Canada and this fleet is growing year after year.

·If you’d like to contribute to more RNG developments, Enbridge Gas now offers a Voluntary RNG program which gives customers the choice to support the transition to clean energy through a small monthly contribution ($2) to help offset the increased costs of acquiring low-carbon renewable natural gas. Visit enbridgegas.com/sustainability/optup to learn more.

About Waste Connections of Canada

Waste Connections of Canada is the premier provider of solid waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services in primary and secondary markets across Canada. Waste Connections is traded on both the TSX and NYSE and is the 3rd largest industrial traded company in Canada. We have operations in 5 Provinces and in Ontario we operate out of 20 locations, own and operate 2 landfill sites and employ over 1200 people across the province. 

About Enbridge Gas Inc. 

Enbridge Gas is Canada’s largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with more than 170 years of service to customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.8 million homes, businesses and industries and is leading the transition to a clean energy future through net-zero emissions targets and investments in innovative low-carbon energy solutions. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Learn more at enbridgegas.com.