Waste Connections, one of Canada’s largest providers of solid waste collection, will build a $50-million renewable natural gas facility at its Ridge Landfill in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. The biomethane will then flow through new and existing Enbridge Gas infrastructure to transport the gas to market. If approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), construction could begin in the spring of 2023 and be complete by the end of 2023.
The proposed Ridge facility will capture landfill gas generated by decomposing waste and transform it into carbon neutral renewable natural gas, which will be injected into the local natural gas distribution system that supplies gas to homes and businesses. The high-quality biomethane produced there will be used as a low-carbon energy source to heat homes, power businesses and fuel vehicle fleets.
Landfill Project Manager Cathy Smith said the new plant will help Waste Connections lower its carbon footprint and fuel its fleet of nearly 300 trucks nationwide. “This is one in a number of projects that Waste Connections is undertaking in order to achieve its own internal greenhouse gas emission reduction credits,” said Smith.
“The 50-million-dollar investment into our community is very important from an economic standpoint, as are the 50 jobs that will be created,” commented Darrin Canniff, Mayor of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. “The fact that the project involves using technology to convert what is essentially a waste byproduct into a gas that will heat our homes and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions makes it even better.
In helping to unlock the potential for local clean energy production, Enbridge Gas’ experienced pipeline contractors will use numerous local resources to build the facility and related pipeline. The Ridge facility could create close to 50 development and construction jobs, as well as several highly skilled permanent operational jobs.
“Enbridge Gas is leading the way to a low-carbon future by connecting renewable natural gas 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,” stated Jim Redford, Vice President of Energy Services, Gas Distribution and Storage at Enbridge Gas.
The project is expected to reduce 110,000 tons of GHG emissions per year, and represents another step in helping Ontario reach its 2030 climate change goals. “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,” said Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Energy.
Source: Enbridge Gas
