DIXON, Ill. (WIFR) – A renewable energy facility in Dixon turns trash into clean power.

The trash at the Lee County Landfill in Dixon produces methane, which is usually just burned off, but Ameresco and Republic Services think that’s a waste. This is why in June 2025 they opened a renewable natural gas plant across from the landfill.

“We as society produce waste. We dispose of it, but instead of letting it go to no use, we capture the byproduct of the biomethane and repurpose it in the form of green energy,” said Ameresco President of Renewable Fuels Michael Bakas.

“It was, what I felt at the time, a good piece of economic development,” said State Rep. Li Arellano Jr. “You never know for sure if any given project is going to fire whether it’s energy, retail, industrial, residential you name it but if you’re doing your job a few of them will take off every year.”

Arellano said talks for the project started when he was Dixon’s mayor. The idea is for the gas produced from the landfill to move into a natural gas pipeline and offer fuel to area homes.

“It provides fuel for the local community for heating and electricity on our generating sides, so it does help in that way. They can purchase and sell green energy or clean energy as part of their portfolios,” said Plant Operations Director Harold Stewart.

Bakas said this project reduces carbon emissions by 61,000 metric tons or more than 70 million gallons of gas per year. In terms of resiliency, he said this plant operates 24/7 and local fleets and transit too could soon benefit from this facility.

“Every drop of fuel we convert this gas into use is one less drop we would import from somewhere else. It’s a great domestic resource we must take advantage of,” said Bakas.

There will be an open house at the renewable natural gas facility from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, at 1214 Bataan Road in Dixon.

Project leaders scheduled to appear include Bakas, Republic Services General ManagerZach Woodburn and U.S. Energy Vice President of Renewable Natural Gas Bryan Nudelbacher.

Dress code is business casual. Closed-toed shoes are required. Personal protective equipment will be provided.

Parking is available on site and shuttles will be available to take people from the parking area to the event site.

Business casual attire and closed-toed shoes are required.

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