Commission approves 12‑month exclusivity study with New Carbon LLC to assess renewable natural gas potential at county landfill

The Kandiyoi County Board of Commissioners on July 17 voted to approve a term sheet allowing New Carbon LLC a 12‑month exclusivity period to study renewable natural gas (RNG) potential at the county’s landfill.

Ryan Batten, landfill superintendent, told the board New Carbon would perform gas‑quality testing, preliminary engineering and pipeline interconnect feasibility at the landfill at the company’s expense during the study period. Batten said current practice vents landfill gas to the atmosphere and that upcoming permit changes and planned leachate recirculation could push the facility into air‑quality thresholds that require gas‑control measures.

Batten said the company proposed installing collection wells and vacuum systems, studying hot spots in the waste mass and evaluating options from simple flaring to full purification and pipeline delivery. He said a full build‑out could save the county significant future costs if the developer pays for construction and operations, though royalties to the county would likely be modest.

County commissioners asked about risks, liner and subgrade impacts, and whether the county’s existing deep vents would be sufficient; Batten said New Carbon would sample gas across legacy and recent waste, propose well placement and design for a sealed system, and that county engineers and the county attorney would review any subsequent construction agreement.

Commissioner Dale Anderson moved to approve the term sheet; after discussion the board approved the exclusivity to allow New Carbon to complete the study. Batten said the county would review any later construction or off‑take agreement before committing to a build‑out and that the county attorney had reviewed the term sheet.

No county funds will be used during the 12‑month study; the board reserved separate approval for any later construction, operations or revenue agreements.