Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) announced the signing of a Landfill Gas Purchase Agreement (Agreement) with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) that intends to upgrade landfill gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre (CVWMC) in Cumberland, BC.
Landfills produce methane gas as organic materials like food and wood waste decompose in an oxygen deprived environment. At the CVWMC, landfill gas is currently captured through a network of piping and wells to reduce methane emissions through flaring. Processing that landfill gas to pipeline quality RNG and injecting it into FortisBC鈥檚 gas system will displace conventional natural gas from the system.
鈥淐SWM is excited to partner with FortisBC on this innovative project that aligns with our commitment to sustainability and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,鈥� says co-chair Will Cole-Hamilton.
鈥淭his project represents an important step toward turning waste into a valuable resource that can benefit our communities,鈥� explains co-chair Mark Baker.
FortisBC has been partnering with landfills across British Columbia for over a decade to upgrade landfill gas into RNG that helps to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the production of RNG supports the provincial government鈥檚 CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which aims to reduce emissions and promote the use of renewable energy.
"Renewable Natural Gas is a low-carbon energy that can help British Columbia advance its climate action goals and provides an option for our customers to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions," said Joe Mazza, Vice-President, Energy Supply and Resource Development at FortisBC. "Adding new RNG supply is part of how we can help to lower overall emissions while continuing to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy."
Over the next year, the project will undergo further evaluation to assess its engineering and financial viability before any construction will proceed. The Agreement will also need approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission. If the project moves ahead as planned, it is expected to generate enough energy to heat between 600 and 1,100 homes annually.
