Evensol LLC has invested nearly $73 million in loans to develop and operate renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in North Carolina. The Foothills Renewable Project in Caldwell County and the Upper Piedmont Renewables Project in Person County will produce natural gas designed to be used as a clean transportation fuel for commercial fleets.
The new projects are a partnership with Duke Energy, Energyneering Solutions LLC, Greater Commercial Lending, and Republic Services. The Oregon-based Evensol worked on the facilities’ designs as well.
“Evensol is thrilled to bring these projects online, providing a beneficial use for large volumes of landfill gas while creating a valuable renewable energy source for the residents of North Carolina,” David Wentworth, president and CEO of Evensol, said in a press release. “We are grateful to all our project stakeholders, investors, and lenders for their patience and support in bringing these historic facilities online, the first landfill gas to RNG facilities in North Carolina.”
Photo Courtesy Evensol
Both new facilities will convert the captured methane from landfill gas into RNGs. This process breaks down organic waste, which is then processed to remove any contaminants and ensure the resulting clean natural gas meets pipeline quality control standards.
The Caldwell County and the Person County locations will launch operations by producing up to a half million dekatherms of renewable energy gas each year.
A dekatherm is a unit of energy that measures the actual heating value of a specific volume of natural gas. One million dekatherms is the average amount of natural gas used by 17,000 North Carolina residential gas customers.
“Through our partnership, these projects will allow us to convert landfill gas into a low-carbon fuel source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” Shane Walker, Republic Services’ Area president, said in a statement. “Projects like these are not only helping Republic Services meet our sustainability goals but our customers’ as well.”
Photo Courtesy Greater Commercial Lending
Fellow partner and Tar Heel State power giant Duke Energy is equally optimistic about the new projects.
“Duke Energy is proud to be an industry leader in the RNG space as we continue our journey toward a cleaner energy future,” Phillip Grigsby, Duke Energy’s senior Vice President of Ventures and Business Development, said in a press release. “Duke Energy is committed to supporting sustainable energy solutions.”
“Not only will these projects bring more renewable natural gas into the market, they’ll also enhance sustainability in North Carolina, ultimately benefiting both the environment and energy customers,” he continued.
Photo Courtesy Energyneering Solutions LLC
The Foothills Renewable Project and the Upper Piedmont Renewables Project are great examples of nationwide partnerships designed to create not only a sustainable future but also a significant economic boost for local and state economies. Evensol’s renewable natural gas can bring significant savings to individual consumers and the transportation industry, as well as make the state and nation’s roadways more resilient.
