Alabama RNG Project Celebrates Commissioning

Wedoany.com Report-Mar 28, The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, Alabama, on March 20 announced the opening of its new 62,000-square-foot advanced materials recovery facility (MRF) and the commissioning of its renewable natural gas (RNG) plant.

The RNG facility was constructed by Viridi Energy. The project is located adjacent to the Magnolia Landfill and will capture and clean methane gasses emitted from the landfill and convert them into pipeline quality RNG. The RNG will be transported via a 2-mile pipeline to Riviera Utilities, where it will be used to fuel Baldwin County.

SWDA of Baldwin County estimates the gas-to-energy plant will produce more than 1 million BTUs of RNG annually, which is enough energy to heat more than 2,500 homes.

“We recognize the immense potential of developing community RNG projects like this one in Baldwin County,” said Bill Keller, executive vice president of Viridi. “We are confident that this gas-to-energy plant will effectively reduce emissions and create a positive economic impact each year for Baldwin County.”

Development of the RNG project was supported with more than $2 million in grant funding through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Alabama Sales program.

The MRF portion of the project will process up to 40,000 tons of recyclables annually. With advanced sorting technology, it separates plastics, paper, metals, and cardboard to be baled and sold to recycling markets.

The project also features a 7,000-square-foot Waste & Recycling Adventure Center that is designed to provide hands-on learning for students and other visitors. The center is comprised of 20 stations on two floors with an overlook of the MRF in operation. Visitors can explore recycling through interactive games, a sorting challenge, exhibits explaining the recycling process for various waste, and learn how landfill gas becomes energy.