Republic Services and Ameresco have brought a 5.2‑MW renewable natural gas (RNG) plant online at the Upper Rock Island County Landfill in East Moline, Illinois. The facility captures 2,000 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas and converts it into pipeline‑quality RNG, producing more than 500,000 Dekatherms of energy each year.
The plant’s operation began in December 2025 and is expected to cut over 27,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, a reduction that aligns with Illinois’ clean‑energy targets and Republic’s 2030 goal of increasing biogas reuse by 50 % from a 2017 baseline. The 500,000 Dekatherm output is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of roughly 1,200 U.S. households, underscoring the project’s scale and environmental impact.
This RNG capacity represents a high‑margin revenue stream that complements Republic’s core waste‑collection services. Ameresco, which owns the asset, has partnered with Republic on 15 previous RNG projects, making this the 16th joint venture. The plant strengthens Republic’s ESG credentials and positions the company to capture growing demand for low‑carbon energy from municipalities and commercial customers seeking carbon‑neutral solutions.
Tim Oudman, Senior Vice President of Sustainability Innovation at Republic Services, said the project “represents another milestone in our longstanding partnership with Ameresco” and highlighted the company’s commitment to decarbonization. Ameresco’s Michael Bakas added that the facility “displaces fossil fuels, cuts local emissions, and delivers meaningful benefits for our partners and the communities they serve.”
Strategically, the Upper Rock RNG plant signals Republic’s shift toward diversified, renewable‑energy‑driven growth. The high‑margin nature of RNG projects, combined with the company’s existing waste‑to‑energy portfolio, offers a hedge against commodity price volatility in traditional recycling markets. While headwinds such as fluctuating natural‑gas prices and regulatory changes remain, the project’s alignment with state clean‑energy mandates and investor focus on ESG positions Republic favorably for future expansion.
Overall, the operational launch of the Upper Rock RNG facility marks a significant step in Republic Services’ transition to a more sustainable, diversified business model, reinforcing its leadership in environmental solutions and setting the stage for additional RNG projects across the United States.
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