HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0117 - 2026-09-29 - Informal ReportFORT WORTH.;
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS (RNG) FACILITY AT THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH SOUTHEAST LANDFILL - CODY WHITTENBURG, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DIRECTOR
DATE: 09/29/26 NUMBER: IR 26-0117
TO 1 -IE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
The purpose of this informal report is to provide an update on the development of a
renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at the City of Fort Worth Southeast Landfill (SELF),
including the project's financial status, revised schedule, and upcoming milestones.
On August 13, 2024, M&C 24-0695 authorized the execution of a service agreement with
Archaea Energy Operating, LLC. (Archaea) to develop a landfill gas to renewable natural gas
conversion system at the SELF. A Landfill Gas Rights Development Services Agreement (CSC #
63626) between the City of Fort Worth, Allied Waste Systems, Inc. (Republic), which operates
the SELF, and Archaea was executed on July 24, 2025. Municipal solid waste landfills, such as
SELF, generate landfill gas as organic material decomposes. Landfill gas can be collected and
processed to remove impurities and increase its methane content, producing pipeline -
quality RNG. RNG can then be used in the same manner as conventional natural gas,
including for heating, electricity generation, and transportation fuel. The project will
beneficially use landfill gas generated at the SELF while creating a new revenue source for the
City's solid waste system.
Financial Status
The agreement negotiated with Archaea requires the RNG facility to be designed and
constructed by Archaea at no capital construction cost to the City. During project
development and construction, Archaea also pays a monthly development fee. As of
September 1, 2026, the city has received $1,317,152 in development fees. The city anticipates
receiving approximately $3 million in additional development fee revenue before the
anticipated December 2028 Commercial Operation Date (COD). When the RNG facility begins
commercial operations, the city will receive royalty payments from the sale of products made
from the recovered landfill gas. An estimated $2.5-$5 million is expected to be received
annually, and all revenue will support long-term solid waste planning as well as programs
and initiatives that conserve green space and advance other environmental projects.
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Project Status
The project is currently anticipated to be completed and enter commercial operation in
December 2028, approximately one year later than originally planned. The previous
anticipated COD was September 2027. Archaea has indicated that the schedule extension is
primarily due to the necessary redesign of the Archaea site footprint at the SELF to optimize
the layout, equipment, and additional design to process up to 20% nitrogen in the LFG as
agreed in the standards negotiated in the Gas Rights Agreement contract with Fort Worth.
The revised schedule does not result in additional capital cost to the City or affect the City's
contractual rights. Staff continues to monitor Archaea's performance against the agreement
and the revised project schedule.
On -site mobilization of construction activities is scheduled to begin in July 2027. To date,
completed planning activities include geotechnical analysis, a comprehensive permitting
review, mechanical design for equipment, and utility coordination. The immediate next steps
include relocating site monitoring wells, completing the site -specific engineering design,
finalizing the pipeline easement agreement, and obtaining required construction permits in
coordination with the Development Services team.
Key remaining activities include permitting, the pipeline easement, utility interconnection,
and equipment procurement. Staff will continue to monitor these activities to maintain the
anticipated COD of December 2028.
The anticipated timeline is outlined below.
Anticipated Project Timeline:
• July 2027 On -Site Mobilization / Groundbreaking
• Nov 2027 Site Preparation Complete
• May 2028 Pipeline Interconnect Complete
• Sept 2028 Substantial Completion of Facility Construction / Ribbon
Cutting
• Dec 2028 Commissioning and Start-up/Commercial Operation Date
The project timeline has been refined to reflect current progress and design inputs. At start-
up, the facility is expected to process all available landfill gas, currently approximately 3,200
scfm. The project includes approximately 3h mile of pipeline connecting the facility to the
BKV interconnect.
Project Management
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This public -private partnership is coordinated by the Environmental Services Department,
with support from an external project manager who assists with coordination and
implementation. City staff oversees contract compliance and project execution. Republic
Services, as operator of the SELF, coordinates with the City and Archaea on on -site research,
surveys, and planning. Archaea leads site engineering, utility agreements, RNG facility
construction, and production. Staff will continue to monitor contract compliance, the revised
project schedule, permitting, pipeline interconnection, construction activities, and financial
performance. Staff will provide additional updates to the City Council as significant project
milestones are reached or if material changes to the anticipated December 2028 COD
occur.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Cody Whittenburg, Environmental
Services Director at 817-392-5455.
Jesue "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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