Denton City Council approves Mayhill Renewables for landfill gas revitalization project

In a significant step towards sustainability, the Denton Public Utilities Board has recommended the adoption of a contract with Mayhill Renewables for a renewable natural gas facility at the city’s landfill. This decision, made during a meeting on August 25, 2025, aims to transform landfill gas, currently treated as a liability, into a profitable asset while reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

Brenda Haney, the director of solid waste for Denton, outlined the project’s history, noting that the city has been flaring gas from its landfill for some time. The previous landfill gas-to-energy facility was decommissioned in 2020 due to operational inefficiencies and contractor issues. The new initiative seeks to refine the collected gas into high BTU fuel, which can be sold in the open market, potentially benefiting the city’s energy supply.

The project will involve Mayhill Renewables taking over the operations of the existing gas collection system, which includes 139 gas wells. The company plans to enhance gas collection and processing, ultimately aiming to integrate the refined gas into the Atmos Energy pipeline. This shift not only represents a move towards cleaner energy but also addresses the challenges associated with landfill management.

During the meeting, board members discussed the feasibility of using the renewable gas to fuel city vehicles, particularly garbage trucks. While past attempts to implement this were not successful, the board remains open to exploring this option in the future, especially as electric vehicle technology continues to evolve.

Additionally, the board addressed the status of the Enhanced Landfill Gas Recovery (ELR) system, which is currently not in operation. The board indicated that they would reassess the potential benefits of reintroducing this system to improve gas capture rates as the landfill matures.

The board unanimously approved the motion to execute both the lease agreement and the gas rights agreement with Mayhill Renewables, marking a pivotal moment in Denton’s commitment to renewable energy and waste management innovation. As the city moves forward with this project, it sets a precedent for other municipalities looking to enhance sustainability efforts while managing waste effectively.