In the United States (US), Viridi Energy Management LLC (Viridi Energy), a leading renewable natural gas (RNG) platform, has announced the start of construction on a transformative RNG facility at the City of Lincoln’s Bluff Road Landfill in Nebraska, marking a major milestone in Viridi’s commitment to sustainability, emissions reduction, and energy innovation.
According to a statement, the project will capture methane generated from landfill operations and convert it into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG), creating a valuable local energy resource while significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Once operational, the facility will transform what was once a waste byproduct into a low-carbon fuel capable of serving homes and businesses throughout the region.
Competitive public procurement
The project originated through a competitive public procurement process in which the City of Lincoln issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified partner to finance, design, build, own, operate, and maintain a landfill gas-to-RNG facility and to market and monetize the RNG from the City’s Bluff Road Landfill.
This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction—it marks the beginning of a long-term investment in providing a local, reliable energy future for the City of Lincoln. We are proud to bring the City’s vision to life by partnering to develop a RNG facility that provides enough energy for approximately 10 percent of the households in this community. By capturing methane and converting it into renewable natural gas, this facility will create measurable environmental benefits while producing a local, reliable source of low-CI fuel, said Dan Crouse, CEO of Viridi Energy.
This project represents the fourth LFG-to-RNG facility in Viridi’s portfolio, and it will commission alongside a fifth LFG-to-RNG facility in Texas, for a total portfolio energy processing capacity of 2.3 million MMBtu.
Viridi’s strength lies in our ability to partner across a variety of commercial structures and deliver projects with certainty. Whether supporting municipalities, utilities, or private-sector stakeholders, our focus remains the same: execute safely, efficiently, and with long-term operational excellence, Dan Crouse said.
Project overview
By Q1 of 2027, Viridi Energy anticipates that the RNG facility will be operational with the capacity to process approximately 3,000 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of landfill gas from the Bluff Road Landfill.
Through advanced gas upgrading technology, the facility will convert landfill methane into pipeline-quality RNG for injection into the Black Hills Energy natural gas distribution system.
By capturing and upgrading methane that might otherwise be flared or emitted, the project will significantly improve the landfill’s environmental impact while creating a renewable energy resource from an existing waste stream.
Once operational, the facility is expected to generate RNG equivalent to the annual heating needs of approximately 12,000 homes, while reducing GHG emissions by displacing conventional fossil natural gas.
The project supports local economic activity during construction while also providing long-term career opportunities for both the operation of the RNG facility and the landfill’s gas collection and control system. Value is created through the production of renewable fuel and environmental attributes contributing further to the circular economy.
At Black Hills Energy, our mission of improving life with energy means we must be ready to make tomorrow even better than today. Projects like the Lincoln Landfill renewable natural gas facility, our second RNG partnership in the city, reflect how we’re working with community partners to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective energy. Our RNG interconnections tie into our distribution system and support the broader low-carbon fuel market, while helping us advance sustainable solutions and support our communities, said Katie Fleming, VP of Customer Experience and Chief Sustainability Officer for Black Hills Energy.
The groundbreaking represents the beginning of a project that will position Lincoln among a growing number of municipalities leveraging renewable natural gas technology to reduce emissions, strengthen local energy infrastructure, and advance circular economy initiatives.
We continue to make steady progress toward our goal of net-zero emissions for our natural gas distribution system by 2035. Solutions like renewable natural gas can be an important part of our shared energy future, added Katie Fleming,
Supporting community sustainability goals
Renewable natural gas, aka biomethane, is increasingly recognized as one of the most effective near-term solutions for reducing methane emissions while producing a reliable, dispatchable source of renewable energy.
The Lincoln RNG facility will capture methane from decomposing organic waste and convert it into a marketable renewable fuel, supporting both environmental stewardship and energy resilience.
The project demonstrates how municipalities can leverage existing infrastructure to create measurable environmental impact, reduce emissions, and generate long-term community benefits.
This important project demonstrates our commitment to transforming forward‑thinking ideas into real, meaningful action. By capturing landfill biogas that would otherwise be wasted, we’re strengthening our energy resilience, reducing emissions, and delivering long‑term value for our community members, said Liz Elliott, City of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director.
