A new facility in Okeechobee County is transforming landfill waste into clean energy.Waste Management officially opened its new renewable natural gas plant Wednesday morning, cutting the ribbon alongside county leaders. The facility captures gas produced from decomposing waste and converts it into renewable natural gas, a fuel source capable of powering tens of thousands of homes and several heavy-duty trucks across South Florida.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News“Natural gas goes into the pipeline, so anyone using natural gas at home might literally be pulling from this plant,” said Dawn McCormick from Waste Management. “It’s dispersed throughout the region and provides a great low-emission energy source.”Before the project, gas generated from the landfill was burned off, releasing emissions into the air. Now, county officials say the system will help prevent tens of thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.“Instead of burning the gas off, now we’re cleaning it, capturing it, and putting it into the gas line to create revenue,” said Okeechobee County Commissioner David Hazellief.Beyond environmental gains, local leaders believe the facility could also attract more businesses to the county, showing companies that Okeechobee is prepared for future clean energy growth.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.“It helps businesses realize Okeechobee is user-friendly,” Hazellief said. “We have the infrastructure and we welcome clean industries such as this.”Waste Management says it plans to open more renewable natural gas facilities across Florida, including one currently in development in the Miami area.
A new facility in Okeechobee County is transforming landfill waste into clean energy.
Waste Management officially opened its new renewable natural gas plant Wednesday morning, cutting the ribbon alongside county leaders. The facility captures gas produced from decomposing waste and converts it into renewable natural gas, a fuel source capable of powering tens of thousands of homes and several heavy-duty trucks across South Florida.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“Natural gas goes into the pipeline, so anyone using natural gas at home might literally be pulling from this plant,” said Dawn McCormick from Waste Management. “It’s dispersed throughout the region and provides a great low-emission energy source.”
Before the project, gas generated from the landfill was burned off, releasing emissions into the air. Now, county officials say the system will help prevent tens of thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
“Instead of burning the gas off, now we’re cleaning it, capturing it, and putting it into the gas line to create revenue,” said Okeechobee County Commissioner David Hazellief.
Beyond environmental gains, local leaders believe the facility could also attract more businesses to the county, showing companies that Okeechobee is prepared for future clean energy growth.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
“It helps businesses realize Okeechobee is user-friendly,” Hazellief said. “We have the infrastructure and we welcome clean industries such as this.”
Waste Management says it plans to open more renewable natural gas facilities across Florida, including one currently in development in the Miami area.