Columbus, GA Converts Landfill Methane Into Renewable Energy Through New Partnerships

Columbus, Georgia is pushing ahead with several green technology initiatives, anchored by a planned Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility at the Pinegrove Landfill and a continued rollout of locally sourced renewable gas to residents.

The city is partnering with the Landfill Group to develop the RNG facility, which is expected to be finalized by spring 2026. The project will capture methane produced by decomposing waste at the landfill and convert it into renewable energy that can be used locally. The effort builds on a program launched in April 2024 by Liberty Utilities (Peach State Natural Gas), which began delivering locally sourced renewable natural gas to Columbus homes and businesses. That gas is captured from the Muscogee County Landfill and injected directly into the utility’s distribution system.

Local Infrastructure and Partnerships

The Pinegrove Landfill RNG project represents a public-private partnership aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while generating a usable energy source. The Landfill Group, which operates the site, will work with the city to bring the facility online. Liberty Utilities has already demonstrated the feasibility of converting landfill methane into pipeline-quality gas, with the Muscogee County Landfill serving as the primary source for the gas now flowing to customers.

These projects sit within a broader sustainability framework outlined in the city’s Priority Climate Action Plan. That plan sets specific targets for solar energy, including the installation of 15 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity by 2028, with incremental goals along the way such as 2.5 MW in the near term.

Solar Energy and Broader Climate Goals

The 15 MW solar target is a key component of Columbus’s strategy to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Priority Climate Action Plan, which was submitted as part of the city’s participation in the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, outlines specific milestones for expanding renewable energy infrastructure. While the RNG and solar projects are separate, they share the common objective of lowering the city’s carbon footprint and creating a more resilient local energy grid.

Liberty Utilities’ renewable natural gas program, which began deliveries in April 2024, provides an early example of how landfill waste can be repurposed into a direct energy source for residents. The gas is captured, processed, and injected into the existing natural gas pipeline system, meaning customers do not need to install new equipment or change their appliances to use it.

What Happens Next

The Pinegrove Landfill RNG facility is expected to be finalized by spring 2026, pending approvals and construction timelines. Liberty Utilities is expected to continue expanding its renewable natural gas offerings as additional landfill gas capture capacity comes online. Residents and businesses can already access the locally sourced gas through the utility’s standard distribution network.

Columbus’s solar buildout will proceed according to the milestones laid out in the Priority Climate Action Plan, with the 15 MW target set for 2028. City officials and partners have not announced further specific projects beyond those already disclosed, but the existing initiatives signal a sustained focus on converting waste into energy and expanding renewable generation within the local grid.