MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A project designed to turn methane produced at the Reno County landfill into usable natural gas is moving forward after receiving unanimous approval from the Reno County Commission.
Commissioners approved Planning Case 2026-09 Wednesday for a gas processing facility that will be built directly east of the existing landfill buildings.
County Planner Mark Vonachen said the facility will take gas produced by the landfill and remove impurities to create clean, dry methane gas. The processed gas will then travel through a pipeline to a compressor station on South Whiteside Road, about a mile and a half north-northwest of the landfill.
The land for the processing facility will be leased to the company rather than purchased.
The Reno County Planning Commission previously recommended approval of the project on a 6-0 vote. No one spoke for or against the proposal during the Planning Commission's public hearing. The recommendation included six conditions of approval along with waivers involving parking, paving and loading-space requirements.
Jason Senacker the project manager of the renewable-energy project told county commissioners that work is progressing smoothly. Pipeline rights-of-way and easements between the landfill facility and the Kansas Gas Service tie-in point have been secured, and permit applications have been submitted, with some already approved.
However, the facility is still more than a year away from beginning operations. The project representative said long-lead equipment, design and engineering work will take at least 72 weeks.
"We are looking into 2028 for startup and commissioning," the representative told commissioners.
Commissioners expressed support for the project and its ability to put methane generated at the landfill to productive use.
Commissioner Richard Winger said the project would provide both environmental and safety benefits by preventing methane from simply accumulating at the landfill while allowing the gas to be purified and reused.
"I'm looking forward to not having methane gas just sitting in our landfill and being able to be purified and reused," the commissioner said.
The County Commission approved the project unanimously, including the Planning Commission's 11 review factors and six conditions of approval.