SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): WM expects Dallas-Fort Worth area to emerge as a major hub for its long-term energy plans. The company had opened a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in the region this week. It must be noted that WM already runs a RNG site in Ferris, Texas.

The $55 million RNG facility, built in WM’s Lewisville landfill, is projected to generate nearly 1.2 million MMBtu per year of RNG from landfill gas. It is part of company’s previously announced plan to invest approximately $1 billion towards opening 20 RNG sites through 2026. Further to this, the company plans to open four more sites this year, including those in Pennsylvania and Illinois.

According to Tara Hemmer, Chief Sustainability Officer at WM, the presence of some of company’s large landfills makes the Dallas-Fort Worth region ideal for setting up such plants. Moreover, it has relatively easier for it to get permits in the region, upon comparison with other regions, Hemmer added.

The successful completion of all planned projects by the company will result in generation of about 28 million MMBtu per year. WM’s fleet comprises of around 12,000 CNG vehicles currently. WM plans to raise this to between 14,000 and 15,000 vehicles before the end of 2025.