Manatee County is turning trash into treasure through a new partnership with Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), that will capture methane gas from the Lena Road Landfill and convert it into clean, marketable energy. The initiative, called 鈥淩enewable Natural Gas (RNG): From Waste to Worth,鈥� was approved by a 5-1 vote of the Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) today. Commissioner Bearden was in opposition, and Commissioner McCann was absent for the vote. The project marks a major step forward in the County鈥檚 efforts to make its utility operations more sustainable, efficient and environmentally responsible.
鈥淭his is a free revenue source on stuff that we鈥檙e currently just burning off,鈥� said Manatee County Commission chair George Kruse. 鈥淲e owe it to the taxpayers to try to maximize outside revenue so we can eliminate some of their costs.鈥� Under the agreement, Johnson Controls will design, build and operate an on-site renewable natural gas facility that transforms landfill gas鈥攑rimarily methane鈥攊nto pipeline-quality renewable fuel. That fuel will then be sold on the open market, generating a new stream of revenue for taxpayers while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
鈥淭his project takes something we鈥檝e always had to manage鈥攍andfill gas鈥攁nd turns it into something valuable,鈥� said Pat Shea, Manatee County Utilities Director, who presented the proposal to the Board. 鈥淏y capturing and converting methane into clean energy, we鈥檙e improving our environmental footprint and creating financial benefits for our residents. It鈥檚 truly a win-win for Manatee County.鈥�
In addition to producing renewable fuel, the project will generate Environmental Attributes, such as renewable energy credits, carbon offsets and federal Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). These credits, which can be traded or sold, represent measurable reductions in greenhouse gases and reinforce Manatee County鈥檚 commitment to sustainability.