In the United States (US), Nopetro Energy LLC, a vertically-integrated producer, distributor and operator of natural gas solutions across North America, in partnership with Johnson Controls International plc (Johnson Controls), a global building technology, software and services provider, has announced a US$50 million investment to design, finance, build, and operate a landfill gas (LFG) to renewable natural gas (RNG) production facility in Manatee County, Florida (FL)
Destined to become the first facility of its kind on Florida’s west coast, construction is expected to begin in 2026 with operations commencing in 2027.
Owned and operated by Nopetro, the facility will capture landfill gas (LFG) from the Lena Road Landfill and upgrade it into high-quality RNG, one of the lowest-carbon alternative fuels available.
Capture and utilise landfill gas
The captured landfill methane will undergo a purification and upgrading process before being injected into existing pipeline infrastructure to serve customers throughout Florida’s west coast.
Since RNG is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas, it can be seamlessly distributed to end users, providing a domestic, affordable, and cleaner fuel option for buses and trucks while helping improve local air quality.
The project is expected to reduce emissions from LFG currently flared at the landfill, eliminating the equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by 5.3 million gallons (≈ 20 million litres) of gasoline each year.
When operational, the facility will produce enough renewable energy to power more than 4,500 average Florida homes annually.
Beyond its environmental impact, the project will support approximately 50 construction jobs and create five permanent positions, generating long-term economic and community benefits for Manatee County and the surrounding region.
This is a free revenue source on stuff that we’re currently just burning off. We owe it to the taxpayers to try to maximize outside revenue so we can eliminate some of their costs, said George Krus, Chair of Manatee County Commission.
Through this partnership, Johnson Controls provided preliminary design and engineering for the RNG facility, evaluated monetisation strategies, and will deliver measurement and verification services for the duration of the project.
We are proud to partner with Manatee County, and this project is a powerful example of our commitment to create smart, efficient and sustainable solutions in the communities we call home. Through converting waste into clean energy, we’re fostering long-term economic and environmental benefits and helping build a sustainable future for all, said Chuck McGinnis, vice president of North America sales and development for Johnson Controls.
Nopetro also partnered with Mead & Hunt, an engineering, procurement, and construction services firm, to design and construct the facility.
This project reflects what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together to create real impact. By transforming a wasted local asset into something productive, we’re helping Manatee County generate new revenue and set the foundation for a more resilient future for generations, said Travis Payne, SVP of RNG Development at Nopetro Energy.
The Manatee County project expands Nopetro’s existing renewable energy platform, which includes its first landfill gas-to-RNG facility in Vero Beach, Florida, and its 15 RNG fueling stations across Florida.
