MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission will consider a request Wednesday to authorize the issuance of up to $25 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) for the Meadowlark Project, a proposed renewable natural gas facility that would convert landfill methane into pipeline-quality natural gas.
The Meadowlark Project is a public-private partnership between Reno County, Greenview Energy and Sparq Renewables, operating as Meadowlark Renewables. The project would capture methane generated at the county landfill, upgrade the gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) standards and inject it into existing utility infrastructure.
According to project information, the renewable gas would be delivered through systems operated by Kansas Gas Service and Evergy after final permits and right-of-way agreements are secured.
Developers estimate the facility will produce more than 210,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas annually, enough energy to serve several thousand homes. The project is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount comparable to the carbon captured by more than 11,000 acres of forest.
County officials say the project would provide multiple long-term benefits, including reducing methane emissions from the landfill, improving energy resilience, creating construction jobs and permanent operating positions, and generating royalty revenue for Reno County.
The resolution authorizes the county to move forward with issuing up to approximately $25 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds under the Kansas Economic Development Revenue Bond Act. The bonds would finance installation of a biogas collection system and processing equipment to convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. The facility would be leased to Meadowlark Renewables, LLC, or a related entity controlled by the company.
Industrial Revenue Bonds are typically repaid by the private company rather than taxpayers. The proposed resolution states the bonds would be payable solely from project revenues, and Reno County would have no financial obligation to repay them. It also provides for sales tax exemptions on qualifying construction materials and equipment if the bonds are ultimately issued.