Align Renewable Natural Gas, the joint venture of Dominion Energy Inc. and Smithfield Foods Inc., broke ground on its renewable natural gas project in Duplin and Sampson counties, N.C.
The manure-to-energy project using methane emissions from hog farms is estimated to produce 300,000 MMBtu of renewable energy, according to an Aug. 16 news release.
"This project implements proven 'manure-to-energy' technology across a number of farms to produce reliable renewable energy for our community and contributes to our company's ambitious goal to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2025," Kraig Westerbeek, senior director of Smithfield Renewables and hog production environmental affairs for Smithfield Foods, said in the release.
The project is also expected to support the state's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade and expand the energy portfolio with a reliable source of renewable energy.
Align RNG is planning additional projects in North Carolina, Utah and Virginia.
