Located in Irvine, California, the Frank R. Bowerman (FRB) Landfill has served as a state-of-the-art waste disposal site since 1990. Over 500 acres are permitted for waste, and the landfill can support the region’s waste management needs until approximately 2053. OC Waste & Recycling captures and flares the landfill gas (LFG) generated by decomposing waste. This flaring, while necessary to control emissions, does not leverage the potential energy of the LFG.
The new Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility aims to change this approach by diverting LFG from the flare system to a state-of-the-art processing plant that will produce RNG instead. Once operational, this facility will capture approximately 6,000 standard cubic feet of LFG per minute, equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 60,000 tons of landfill waste annually.
The Bowerman Power RNG Project was recently presented to the community as part of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Led by OC Waste & Recycling, Bowerman Power, and consultants from TetraTech, the meeting introduced the community to the project’s goals, projected environmental impacts, and planned mitigation measures. The project team, which includes environmental manager Matt Unger from Bowerman Power, shared details on the advantages and explained how the facility would help mitigate air quality issues traditionally associated with landfills.
The project will eliminate the need for incineration by repurposing LFG into RNG, reducing overall emissions, and capturing the energy for distribution through SoCalGas pipelines. This direct reuse of gas supports OC Waste & Recycling’s sustainability goals. It aligns with California’s CPUC Renewable Gas Program, which encourages sustainable energy development from methane-rich organic waste sources like landfills.
During the CEQA meeting, community members had the opportunity to ask questions regarding the project’s potential health and environmental impacts. Addressing these concerns, OC Waste & Recycling and Bowerman Power assured attendees that the RNG facility would operate as a closed system, preventing the release of harmful gases and controlling odors on-site through advanced containment measures. Any residual byproducts from gas processing will be managed via combustion units to ensure compliance with strict air quality standards, further enhancing local air quality.
Key Elements of the Bowerman RNG Facility:
Once completed, the project will contribute significantly to Orange County’s environmental goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels by harnessing the methane produced at the landfill and converting it into RNG. This shift from waste flaring to RNG production aligns with state mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance air quality.
OC Waste & Recycling Director Tom Koutroulis emphasized that landfills' primary role is waste management. Still, innovations like the Bowerman RNG Project underscore a community and environmental stewardship commitment. In addition to producing renewable energy, OC Waste & Recycling’s initiatives at the FRB landfill include resource recovery programs and composting operations, maximizing the landfill’s role in sustainable resource management.
The CEQA process for the RNG project allows for public comments and feedback through mid-November 2024. Following this period, OC Waste & Recycling will review community input and finalize the CEQA documents, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval in early 2025. Pending approval, construction of the RNG facility is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with operations anticipated to start by late 2026.
