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Commission approves renewable natural gas facility CUP for site near Hiram
Summary
The planning commission approved a conditional use permit for a Green Gas USA facility to upgrade biogas from a nearby JBS operation into pipeline‑quality renewable natural gas; the project is subject to 19 conditions including stormwater and fire‑protection requirements.
The county planning commission on July 20 approved a conditional use permit for Green Gas USA to install a renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading facility adjacent to a JBS processing site, the applicant said.
Planning staff described the project as an on‑site gas‑upgrading operation that will take biogas produced by JBS’ wastewater lagoons, clean it and inject pipeline‑quality methane into Enbridge’s system. A staff presentation listed required approvals including updated public‑works plans, a long‑term stormwater maintenance agreement, a land‑disturbance permit prior to construction and written approvals from JBS and Enbridge once final plans are submitted. Staff also recommended dedication of right‑of‑way along the site frontage and roadway shoulder improvements to meet county standards.
Casey Murakami, project manager for Green Gas USA, told the commission the facility will lease about an acre adjacent to JBS and use a pressure‑swing adsorption system to separate methane from carbon dioxide. “We’re taking that 70% through a pressure swing absorption system… and so we have 99.9% pure methane that goes to the pipeline,” Murakami said. On‑site staffing will be limited to a technician weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with remote operation possible 24/7 and occasional weekend or holiday visits, staff reported. Murakami said JBS currently uses some biogas internally for boilers, and the proposed system will produce pipeline‑quality renewable natural gas and the associated renewable attributes.
Staff also noted air‑quality and wildfire hazard considerations and asked for a fire‑protection report for district approval. Notice of the application was posted to county and state public‑notice sites; staff reported no public comments in the meeting record. A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit with the staff’s 19 conditions and three conclusions; a second was recorded and the motion passed.
The approvals require the applicant to provide written utility approvals and to meet county engineering and fire‑district requirements before construction begins; staff said review costs and inspection fees will be borne by the applicant.
