Commission accepts public hearing, advances Waste Management renewable natural gas site within landfill

The Livingston Parish Planning Commission voted unanimously to accept the public hearing record and proceed with the preliminary site plan for a Waste Management renewable natural gas (RNG) facility located within the parish landfill.

Vernon Bates, representing Backlund Taylor for the applicant, described the project as a roughly 2.5-acre site inside the landfill that will house a building to capture landfill gas and convert it to renewable natural gas. “It is about 2 and a half acre site. It is located within the landfill, and the site will have a building that'll be used to track, trace, and turn it into renewable natural gas,” Bates said.

Planning and engineering staff told commissioners their comments had been addressed and recommended approval. Raymond Mullins and other representatives noted the site already has pipes used to flare landfill gas; the project would capture that gas rather than rely on flaring.

Commissioners raised concerns about the proposed facility’s proximity to the parish airport and existing runway limits. One commissioner said the site was “right at the limit” of allowable proximity and asked staff and the applicant to confirm that no airport setback or approach protections would be violated. Commissioners asked project representatives to remain flexible on siting if the airport setback review requires it.

After that discussion, the commission voted to accept the public hearing and proceed.

Votes at a glance: Engler — Yes; Clemons — Yes; Wax — Yes; Dana — Yes; Burns — Yes; Long — Yes.