City advances plan to convert landfill and wastewater gas to energy; committee hearing set July 17

Toledo officials on July 8 introduced an agreement framework with Northwest Natural Renewables to develop a biogas-to-energy facility that would convert gas from the Bayview Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Hopin Road landfill into renewable energy.

Solid Waste Commissioner Ryan Murphy explained the project is a multi-phase public-private partnership that will use landfill gas and wastewater treatment gas to produce electricity or pipeline-quality gas. Northwest Natural Renewables would develop and finance the project, working with engineering firm Tetra Tech on design, permitting and construction. "Northwest Natural Renewables will be working with Tetra Tech for support with the design, permitting, and construction of the project," Murphy said, and the council

scheduled a committee hearing next Thursday to review details. (Ryan Murphy, Commissioner of Solid Waste)

Council members expressed interest in the environmental and fiscal benefits; Councilman Tyrone Sarantu invited colleagues to attend the July 17 committee hearing. Mayor's staff and the solid-waste team said the presentation will cover expected timelines, revenue-sharing or host-lease terms, permitting schedules and potential power offtake arrangements.

Why it matters: A successful plant could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, produce local renewable power, capture energy that the city currently vents or flares, and create a revenue stream to offset solid-waste or wastewater operating costs. The project will require permitting at state and federal levels and likely long-term commercial agreements.

Next steps: Council scheduled a public committee hearing for July 17; staff said they will bring detailed financial terms, permitting timelines and environmental review information to that meeting.