Wicomico Council approves 20‑year lease and sole‑source designation for renewable natural gas facility at Newland Park landfill

The Wicomico County Council on Nov. 4 approved a 20‑year lease of roughly 1 acre at the Newland Park landfill and a corresponding gas‑rights and development agreement with WB Wicomico LLC to allow the construction and operation of a renewable natural gas facility, and separately designated WAGA Energy Inc. as a sole‑source vendor for the project.

Council members approved Resolution 198‑2025 (the lease and gas rights agreement) and Resolution 199‑2025 (the sole‑source designation) after staff detailed technical forecasts, permitting considerations and financing. Resolution 198‑2025 passed 6–1 after a failed motion to table; Resolution 199‑2025, which required a supermajority, also passed 6–1.

County Deputy Director of Public Works Adam Corey told the council the private partner is committing $4 million toward the gas interconnect and $24.5 million to construct the RNG plant. Corey said the county will be responsible for upgrading its landfill gas collection well field — a capital cost he estimated at about $1.5 million to $2 million — and staff are seeking an approximately $3.2 million Maryland Energy Administration grant (referred to in the meeting as an LGEM promissory) to help cover that work.

“The due‑diligence period looked at all…