Fargo captures landfill gas and puts it to local use, staff say

Fargo's Solid Waste Department described a landfill gas collection and use program that staff say has reduced greenhouse-gas emissions and provides local energy benefits.

The department traced the program to about 2001 and said it has expanded compressor capacity and collection infrastructure in the past decade. "With that program alone... we've destroyed captured and destroyed the equivalent of over 2 million tons of CO2," a staff member said, noting the gas is used by a local industry partner to displace purchased natural gas and by an on-site generator that produces heat and electricity.

How the system works: staff explained technicians install perforated gas wells bored roughly 75 to 80 feet into the landfill and connect those wells to a compressor station that draws a vacuum, extracting methane from waste rather than allowing it to vent. The recovered gas is routed to an industry partner and to on-site generation tied to the grid; staff said this provides an additional revenue source and reduces operating costs.

Why this matters: Capturing landfill gas reduces methane emissions and can create a local source of energy or revenue for municipal operations. The department said upgrades have improved gas quality and capture volumes, but also noted collection depends on phased cell closures and available well fields.

What was not provided: The episode did not include technical reports, emission measurement methodology, or contract specifics for the industry partner; staff statements about CO2-equivalent savings were presented without supporting documentation during the recording.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue installing wells and expanding collection as cells are closed and infrastructure allows.