County Advances Plan for Renewable Natural Gas Facility at Lena Road Landfill
Manatee County is moving forward with a partnership that will convert landfill gas into usable natural gas, marking a new step in the county’s efforts to expand renewable energy sources and generate additional revenue. The initiative, approved by county commissioners in October, calls for the construction of a $50 million processing facility adjacent to the Lena Road Landfill.
Nopetro Energy, a Miami-based renewable energy company, announced plans to begin construction in 2026, with production slated to start in 2027. The facility will capture methane produced from waste decomposition and convert it into renewable natural gas (RNG), a fuel that can power vehicles and replace diesel in certain applications.
County officials have discussed the concept since at least 2023 as a way to reduce methane emissions from flaring and generate new income from a material currently burned off as waste. Under the agreement, commissioners approved a series of one-year leases for the site at $1 per year, renewable for up to 20 years. Specific revenue projections for the county have not been released.
The process will draw gas from wells within the landfill and remove all components except methane, thereby qualifying the output as renewable natural gas. A small portion of landfill gas is already used at the Southeast Water Reclamation Facility to dry biosolids and to heat a grease boiler; the new plant significantly expands the county’s production capacity.
Nopetro’s Manatee project adds to its existing renewable energy operations, including a landfill gas-to-RNG facility in Vero Beach and 15 RNG fueling stations across Florida. Company officials say the reduction of methane flaring—long a standard landfill practice—will help decrease emissions while establishing a stable, domestic energy source.
The new partnership represents the county’s latest effort to transform waste byproducts into economic and environmental benefits. Construction is expected to begin next year as planning and permitting move forward.
