Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) offers a transformative opportunity to turn waste into wealth by converting organic matter such as landfill solids into energy and is uniquely positioned to power local economies. The U.S. alone produces over 250 million tons of waste each year, 140 million of which goes to landfills. The natural decomposition process of this waste releases methane directly into the atmosphere. Methane accounts for about 20 percent of global emissions and is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. RNG production captures emissions from organic waste, converting methane from a liability into an asset by bringing it to market as energy.

RNG's economic promise includes decarbonization and job market expansion within the energy sector, providing new opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and operations. Governments and markets currently offer financial incentives that encourage investors and corporations to purchase RNG, providing them a viable path to meeting carbon emission reduction goals. Additionally, energy recovery gives communities and landfill owners the opportunity to reduce the costs associated with regulatory compliance by turning pollution into a valuable community resource.

Unlike other renewable alternatives such as wind and solar, RNG offers a consistent and reliable energy source, rain or shine, and it can be injected into existing natural gas systems. From there, RNG can be used as fuel for equipment such as generators, heaters, boilers, reciprocating engines, and gas turbines.

The Bradley County RNG facility was commissioned on May 8th, 2024, and each day since has been producing clean RNG for use in vehicles, with an energy equivalent of 6,000 gallons of gasoline. When it comes to the construction and operation of the Bradley County RNG Facility, the stakeholders chose hot-dip galvanizing as the metal coating tasked to protect all steel pipe supports from corrosion in the tough and hazardous environment of the Bradley County landfill.

Galvanizing provided not only a low initial cost but also the resilience, durability, appearance, and lowest maintenance cost mandated to ensure safe and reliable operation. The outside portion of the structure, holding the critical process piping, instrumental to the transport of various gases, is constantly exposed to the corrosive ambiance of the landfill. Even in this harsh environment, galvanizing can last for decades, significantly reducing or even eliminating the need for costly maintenance and repairs over the system's lifetime.

Thanks to the use of hot-dip galvanizing, the 60 tons of piping and structural supports will carry the weight of the RNG facility for many years to come and play a pivotal role in this fascinating tale of turning trash into treasure!