​​Landfill Gas to Renewable Transportation Fuel Project​: Monterey Regional Waste Management District

The Landfill Gas to Renewable Transportation Fuel Project (project) was constructed at the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD or district), Monterey Peninsula Landfill (landfill) site in northwestern Monterey County, California. The project captures methane containing biogas generated from decomposing organic material to condition the raw biogas into a renewable natural gas (RNG) for natural gas vehicles used by the district and by the Franchise Waste Collection Contractor’s truck fleet for seven of the nine local Member Agency communities on the Monterey Peninsula. The project is designed to receive raw biogas from the landfill (aka landfill gas (LFG)), from an anaerobic digestor (AD) facility located onsite or from the neighboring wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), or from both public entity sources. While the potential to generate renewable energy from AD or landfill biogas is well established in the industry, the landfill is the first publicly owned landfill to install and operate a Biogas-to-RNG facility in California. This project will serve as a prototype for the other publicly owned landfills throughout the state, which will benefit regional vehicle fleets and the populace on a community-scale level.  

The priority for the project is generating renewable compressed natural gas (RCNG) for the district’s existing CNG truck fueling system. As part of its continued efforts to reduce its reliance on non-renewable resources, reduce onsite emissions, and improve the sustainability of its operations, MRWMD envisioned utilizing its biogas to produce RCNG rather than importing an out-of-state RCNG from the utility pipeline network or using natural gas from non-renewable sources.  

Utilizing LFG/AD biogas for the production of RCNG for transportation purposes provides a cost-effective, complete, and scalable system. Furthermore, the importance of biogas utilization to reduce methane emissions in California is substantial. Since capturing and beneficially using biogas is the best way to mitigate methane emissions, this demonstrates the application of the project at landfills and/or WWTPs throughout the state to help meet the requirements of SB605 (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants) and AB32 (Global Warming Solutions Act), as well as California’s renewable energy requirements.