On August 10, 2026, the Landfill Group, in partnership with LS Power, commenced operation of a project collecting and upgrading landfill gas into pipeline quality renewable natural gas (RNG) at the Pine Grove Landfill in Columbus, Georgia. The Columbus Power Producers (CPP) project marks a historic milestone as the first renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in Columbus, Georgia, transforming landfill gas into a valuable, renewable energy resource. A ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the start of commercial operations will be held on Thursday, November 12th.
Michael Curran, Development Manager of Landfill Group, said, “We are proud to bring this important project online and grateful for the strong partnerships that helped make it possible. In particular, the Columbus Consolidated Government, and especially the Public Works Department, demonstrated tremendous flexibility, collaboration and leadership throughout the development and construction of the project. Liberty Utilities likewise brought a strong commitment to partnership and problem-solving that helped us navigate the unique challenges of bringing a new renewable natural gas facility online. Their shared values and willingness to work collaboratively with our team were instrumental in delivering a successful project for Columbus and the surrounding community. We are proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to building on these relationships as we continue to advance renewable energy projects.”
Landfill gas, a natural byproduct of the decomposition process of waste, is collected at the Pine Grove Landfill. The landfill gas is then processed at the facility and upgraded to RNG which is then injected into the local natural gas system, which is owned and operated by Liberty Utilities (Peach State Natural Gas) Corp.
According to the EPA, the environmental benefits associated with this project at full build out will be equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions of more than 21,159,896 gallons of gasoline each year.
“We’re incredibly proud of our team for executing another successful project — every build brings its own challenges, and it’s our team’s ability to work through them that makes the difference,” said William Brinker, Managing Director of Landfill Group. “We’re grateful for the collaboration of our partners at LS Power, the Columbus Consolidated Government, Liberty Utilities Georgia, and Mercuria in bringing this project to life. Just as importantly, this project reflects our discipline in making small scale RNG facilities commercially viable by staying mindful of our capital budget and output capability, we’re confident it will deliver a solid return over the life of the asset.”
Drale Short, Director of Public Works for the City of Columbus, Georgia said, “The commercial operation of this renewable natural gas facility represents an important milestone in Columbus’ ongoing commitment to responsible landfill management and environmental stewardship. By transforming landfill gas into renewable natural gas, we are reducing emissions, improving the long-term sustainability of our landfill operations, and creating a valuable energy resource from material that would otherwise be wasted. This investment reflects our dedication to innovative solutions that benefit both our community and the environment for generations to come.”
Liberty Utilities Georgia is an indirect subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and part of its Regulated Services Group that primarily operates water, electric, and gas companies in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Chile. Liberty Utilities Georgia is a local distribution company that operates in the Columbus and Gainesville areas, providing natural gas to more than 61,000 customers.
“At Liberty, our responsibility is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to the customers and communities we serve,” said Carolyn Bermudez, President, Liberty Utilities Georgia, “and we also believe in creating strong and meaningful collaborations with the communities we serve. This project is a prime example. Not only does it allow us to diversify our gas portfolio, strengthening the resilience of our system, but it also reduces carbon emissions by capturing, cleaning, and putting naturally occurring gases from our communities to work for our communities while allowing us to purchase gas at a lower cost to the benefit of our customers. It’s truly a win for all.”