Press Release: Redefining Waste Into Energy
Archaea Energy and Rumpke bring online two state-of-the-art renewable natural gas plants in Ohio
HOUSTON – Today, bp’s Archaea Energy (NYSE: BP) celebrates the startup of two new renewable natural gas (RNG) plants, built using Archaea’s Modular Design (AMD) technology, in Wellston and Waverly, Ohio.
The milestone was marked with a ribbon cutting at each plant. Located approximately 40 minutes apart, the plants are adjacent to the Beech Hollow Landfill and Pike Sanitation Landfill, both owned by Rumpke Waste and Recycling.
Landfill gas, a natural byproduct of the decomposition of waste in landfills, is a form of greenhouse gas. Using the AMD process, the Beech Hollow and Pike County plants capture the gas from Rumpke’s landfills and convert it to renewable natural gas (RNG), which can lead to cleaner air, less odor and more sustainable energy when compared with traditional fossil fuel energy, according to the U.S. EPA.
"The opening of these two plants marks a significant milestone for not only us, but for the Buckeye state and its communities to drive change for a healthier environment," said Craig Marcum, vice president of operations for Archaea Energy. " This is just the beginning of our efforts to scale innovative technologies that create a more sustainable future.”
The two landfills combined can process 6,200 cubic feet of landfill gas per minute (scfm) into RNG – enough gas to heat around 25,238 homes annually, according to the EPA’s Landfill Gas Energy Benefits Calculator. The Beech Hollow Landfill can process 3,200 scfm and the Pike Sanitation Landfill can process 2,000 scfm. Traditionally, RNG plants have been custom built, but the AMD allows plants to be built on skids with interchangeable components. Using a standardized modular design can lead to a faster build than previous industry standards.
“Rumpke has been investing in green technology at our landfills since 1986, and continues to look for innovative ways to increase sustainability.” said Andy Rumpke, area president, Rumpke. “The Beech Hollow and Pike Sanitation Landfill projects add to our 14 total gas-to-energy plants at our regional landfills. This plant will provide our Southern Ohio customers assurance that their waste is not only being properly managed – but beneficially reused.”
Archaea is the largest RNG producer in the U.S., enhancing its ability to support customers’ decarbonization goals and progressing its aim to reduce the average lifecycle carbon intensity of the energy products it sells.
About Archaea Energy
Archaea Energy, a bp-owned company, is the largest RNG producer in the U.S., with an industry-leading platform and expertise in developing, constructing, and operating RNG facilities to capture waste emissions and convert them into low carbon fuel. Additional information is available at bp.com/Archaea.
About Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Rumpke Waste & Recycling has been keeping homes and businesses clean for more than 90 years. Today, Rumpke employs over 4,400 environmental experts servicing millions of customers across Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia. The award-winning family-owned company operates 15 landfills, 26 transfer stations and 14 recycling centers. Other Rumpke divisions include Rumpke Portable Restrooms, Rumpke Haul-it-Away and Rumpke Hydraulics, as well as environmental solutions company The William-Thomas Group. For more information, visit rumpke.com.