Republic Services opens landfill gas-to-energy facility in South Carolina

Republic Services Inc., a waste and recycling firm headquartered in Phoenix, has announced the opening of its newest landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) project, which is located at the company’s regional landfill in Union County, South Carolina.

Republic notes that the renewable energy project consists of two reciprocating combustion engines that generate 3,200 kilowatts of energy for the local electric grid, enough electricity to power more than 1,800 area homes.

“Landfills are essential infrastructure in any community, but their value to society goes well beyond disposal,” says Jamey Amick, area president of Republic Services. “Today's landfill can help to regenerate air, water and land in a local ecosystem, and in many cases it can create a renewable power source from waste decomposition. We are incredibly proud of this project, and the economic and environmental impacts it will make in the Upstate area for years to come.”

LFGTE projects typically involve capturing methane, which is generated when waste decomposes within a landfill. The methane can be harnessed and converted into renewable energy sources that supply local power grids. The process can displace the use of fossil fuels for energy generation and use, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Republic Services' subsidiary, Republic Services of South Carolina LLC, partnered with Lockhart Bioenergy LLC, an affiliate of Lockhart Power Co., a public utility headquartered in Union, South Carolina, and Pacolet Milliken Enterprises Inc., a privately owned investment company headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to develop the Upstate Regional LFGE project. Lockhart Bioenergy will operate the plant, and its output is being purchased by Duke Energy.

“Together with Pacolet Milliken's other renewable energy projects, the facility will contribute to the company's ongoing corporate sustainability efforts to become a leader in implementing renewable power alternatives,” says Richard Webel, president of Pacolet Milliken, the parent company of Lockhart Power.

“We are pleased to bring another renewable energy facility to South Carolina,” says Bryan Stone, chief operating officer at Lockhart Power. “The facility not only generates renewable clean energy for customers in Union County and surrounding areas, but it's also a great economic development tool for attracting industries tailored for green initiatives to our area. This project is a win-win for our community.”

Republic Services and its subsidiaries operate 73 landfill gas-to-energy projects nationwide.