City backs landfill gas to RNG plan

Summary#

Edmonton’s Utility Committee voted 5–0 to recommend that City Council approve the business case for the Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas Conversion Project. The recommendation would fund a new Clover Bar Landfill gas-to-RNG capital profile and cancel the original project profile. Council approval is still required, and the committee also recommends keeping the report private.

  • The recommendation concerns a project to convert landfill gas into renewable natural gas (RNG).
  • It would approve capital profile 26-81-2057, “Clover Bar Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas,” and cancel profile 22-81-2053.
  • It would keep City Operations report CO03263 private under the cited Access to Information Act provision.

What it means for you#

  • City taxpayers: The committee has recommended funding a capital profile, but the available material does not state the amount. Council has not yet made the final decision.
  • The public: The business case and report would remain private under the committee’s recommendation, limiting what the public can review about the project.
  • City Council: Council must decide whether to approve the business case and funding profile and cancel the original profile.

Money#

The committee recommends funding a capital profile, but no cost estimate is available in the supplied material.

  • The proposed new profile is 26-81-2057; the original profile is 22-81-2053.
  • The business case and funding details are in attachments to a report recommended to remain private.

What is unclear#

  • The amount of funding, project schedule, and expected quantity of RNG are not available.
  • The public material does not explain the project’s expected benefits, costs, or risks.
  • It is unclear what Council will decide or when.

Case for#

  • A possible argument for the project is that it would convert landfill gas into renewable natural gas. The supplied material does not state the expected environmental or financial benefits.
  • The committee recommends approving a business case and a specific capital profile, rather than leaving the project under its original profile.

Case against#

  • The committee recommends keeping the report and business case private, so the public cannot assess the project’s costs, risks, or expected results from the supplied material.
  • No clear argument against the project itself is available from the supplied material.