By Andi Anderson
WM recently celebrated the grand opening of its $60 million Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility in DeKalb, Illinois, near Chicago. The new facility is projected to produce approximately 1 million MMBtu of RNG each year, enough to power about 11,500 households or fuel up to 865 heavy-duty vehicles daily.
This marks WM’s third RNG facility in Illinois, following the first launch at Granite City’s Milam RNG facility in 2014. The DeKalb project highlights WM’s strong commitment to renewable energy, which includes a broader $1.6 billion investment plan between 2022 and 2026.
Brad Pollock, WM Heartland area vice president, expressed excitement about the achievement, stating, “The facility processes landfill gas into RNG, which is then delivered directly into the natural gas pipeline, providing a new energy source to the region.”
The DeKalb RNG facility captures landfill gas produced as organic waste decomposes at the WM DeKalb Landfill. This gas is processed into pipeline-quality RNG, providing a low-emission energy source for communities across North America. Currently, WM owns or hosts 22 RNG facilities nationwide.
DeKalb County Board Chair John Frieders praised the project, saying, “DeKalb County is committed to responsible environmental stewardship, and this RNG facility aligns well with that vision. Our continued community partnership is appreciated by the County.”
WM has been a leader in landfill gas-to-energy innovation for over 40 years. The company’s continued investments in RNG facilities demonstrate a clear path toward sustainable development and cleaner energy for future generations.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Illinois, Energy