NextEra Energy partners with Harris County on $1 billion renewable gas project

During the Harrison County Board of Supervisors meeting on December 9, 2024, significant discussions centered around a proposed partnership with NextEra Energy, a leading renewable energy developer. The meeting highlighted a memorandum of understanding between the Harris County Development Commission, the Board of Supervisors, and Puro Energy of Mississippi LLC, aimed at advancing a renewable natural gas project at the Pecan Grove landfill.

Chris Grissom and Tom Gallioto, representatives from NextEra Energy, presented the project, emphasizing its potential to convert landfill gas into clean energy. Gallioto noted that the initiative could provide enough energy to power approximately 15,000 homes annually, showcasing its environmental benefits. He also highlighted the economic advantages, including job creation and significant tax revenues for the county, estimating over $11 million in property tax benefits over the project's 18-year lifespan.

The partnership with Waste Management is crucial for the project's success, as it involves collecting and processing natural gas from industrial waste. Gallioto expressed that while the project may not be the most economically beneficial on its own, the collaboration with the county could facilitate necessary statutory abatements, making it viable.

This initiative marks NextEra's seventh project in Mississippi, with plans to invest over $1 billion in the state in the coming years. The discussions at the meeting underscored the county's commitment to renewable energy and its potential to foster economic growth while addressing environmental concerns.

As the Board of Supervisors considers the resolution to support this memorandum, the implications of this partnership could significantly impact Harrison County's energy landscape and economic development in the near future. The next steps will involve further deliberations on the financial structures and the execution of the memorandum, which could pave the way for a greener and more sustainable community.