In the United States (US), Ameresco, Inc., a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider, and Republic Services, Inc., a leader in the environmental services industry, announced the start of operations of a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility located at the Upper Rock Island County Landfill in East Moline, Illinois, in December 2015.
The Ameresco-owned asset will upgrade landfill gas (LFG) from the Upper Rock Landfill into pipeline-quality RNG that can be used as a low-carbon transportation fuel and for other applications.
The RNG facility is designed to capture raw LFG and process 2,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of it into pipeline-quality RNG, producing over 500,000 Dekatherms annually.
By converting landfill gas into a valuable renewable energy resource, the RNG facility is expected to avoid more than 27,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually while advancing decarbonization, improving air quality, and supporting local communities.
The conversion of organic waste into renewable energy serves as a cornerstone of the circular economy. The Upper Rock project adds another high-quality RNG facility to our portfolio and demonstrates the scalable model we’ve built organically in partnership with Republic Services. This project will displace fossil fuels, cut local emissions, and deliver meaningful benefits for our partners and the communities they serve, said Michael Bakas, President of Renewable Fuels at Ameresco.
Target alignment
This is the 16th operational project developed by Ameresco and Republic Services, and it follows the announcement of another Illinois RNG facility in July 2025. These projects underscore both organizations’ growing momentum and ongoing dedication to advancing renewable energy in the region and beyond.
Not only does the facility support Illinois’ ambitious clean energy targets of 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050, but it also directly contributes to Republic Services’ goal to beneficially reuse 50 percent more biogas by 2030.
Republic Services is committed to driving sustainability through innovative decarbonization solutions that create meaningful benefits for the communities we serve. The Upper Rock project represents another milestone in our longstanding partnership with Ameresco and underscores our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future, said Tim Oudman, SVP of Sustainability Innovation.
