Springfield Standard

The City of Springfield Environmental Services provided an update on its Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project at the June 4 City Council Lunch Workshop. The project aims to convert biogas generated at Springfield’s Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill and Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant into renewable natural gas, delivering it to the grid of natural gas pipelines.

Environmental Services staff previously engaged consultants for a Renewable Natural Gas Feasibility Study. This study gathered information on other RNG projects, updated the biogas production potential from the city’s landfill and wastewater treatment plant, and investigated project feasibility. The results indicate that converting to RNG is the most beneficial use of the city’s biogas, offering several options for monetizing the resource. This could help fund existing and future environmental liabilities, preserve natural resources through renewable energy production, and protect city ratepayers against excessive rate increases.

The RNG conversion project will require designing and installing biogas cleaning equipment, gas compression equipment, and a natural gas pipeline interconnection point. Initial capital needed for construction at the landfill and treatment plant is estimated at $31.6 million, with an additional $3 million required annually for operations and maintenance costs.

While installation of the equipment and associated technology represents a significant financial investment by the city’s solid waste and clean water enterprise funds, various financial incentives and grant opportunities are being pursued for the project.

Initial estimates suggest that an RNG project will not only monetize an existing biogas resource but will eventually provide additional revenue. This would help Environmental Services continue its mission of protecting Springfield's quality of life and unique natural resources while better meeting long-term obligations of the city’s sanitary sewer and solid waste management systems. The feasibility study suggests that the project could yield annual net revenue between $4-19 million after operations and maintenance expenses.

City Council approved using the design-build project delivery method for this initiative in March. Environmental Services issued a Request for Qualifications from design-build teams this spring, expecting design proposals from shortlisted firms in August. The project is anticipated to begin this fall, with a goal of bringing RNG capability online by fall 2025.