Ribbon cutting with tours is 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9000 Pinegrove Way. The plant turns Pine Grove Landfill gas into pipeline fuel for Liberty Utilities customers.

Gas from the city’s Pine Grove Landfill is now being cleaned up and sent into the natural gas lines that serve Columbus homes and businesses. The plant has been running since Aug. 10. Its owners say it is the first renewable natural gas plant in Columbus.

The Landfill Group and its partner LS Power announced the start in a release Oct. 22. The project is called Columbus Power Producers. A ribbon cutting to mark the start of commercial operations is set for Thursday, Nov. 12, the release said.

Updated Nov. 1: The city has now set the ribbon cutting for 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the plant at Pine Grove Landfill, 9000 Pinegrove Way. Guided tours of the plant and the landfill are planned, the city’s release said.

How it works

Rotting trash gives off gas. Its main part is methane, which is also the main part of natural gas. The release describes three steps:

  • the gas is collected at Pine Grove Landfill
  • a plant at the landfill processes it and upgrades it to pipeline-quality gas
  • the gas goes into the local system owned and run by Liberty Utilities (Peach State Natural Gas) Corp.

Liberty serves more than 61,000 natural gas customers in the Columbus and Gainesville areas, according to the release.

What the numbers say

The release cites an Environmental Protection Agency calculation. At full build-out, it said, the plant’s benefit will equal the carbon dioxide from burning more than 21,159,896 gallons of gasoline a year. The release does not say how much gas the plant produces today.

The company’s Columbus project page, written before the plant opened, gave lower minimum projections. Based on 2,000 standard cubic feet of gas a minute, it said the plant would make enough gas to heat about 3,155 homes a year. The page also said gas projects like this one help cut landfill odor.

How it got here

The city announced the partnership in a release Feb. 11. It said:

  • The Landfill Group began building the plant in 2025, after it had its permits and contracts
  • all the methane taken from the landfill would be processed and sold to outside users
  • construction was expected to finish in spring 2026
  • a public ribbon cutting would follow once full commercial operations began

The city’s new release

The city’s release, dated Oct. 29, says construction of the plant is complete. It says the facility “is scheduled to become fully operational on Thursday, November 12, 2026.” The company’s October release said commercial operation began Aug. 10. The city did not explain the difference.

The city’s release lists the Public Works Department, at 706-225-4676, for questions.

What they said

Drale Short, the city’s director of public works, said the plant marks “an important milestone in Columbus’ ongoing commitment to responsible landfill management and environmental stewardship.”

Carolyn Bermudez, president of Liberty Utilities Georgia, said the gas lets Liberty diversify its supply. She said it also allows the utility “to purchase gas at a lower cost to the benefit of our customers.” The release does not say whether or when that would show up on bills.

Michael Curran, development manager of the Landfill Group, credited the city’s Public Works Department and Liberty for their flexibility during construction.

What it means for you

  • If you use the landfill, neither release mentions any change to its hours or to what it takes. Pine Grove is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Its last two Saturday openings this year are Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Our trash and recycling guide has the details.
  • If you are a Liberty gas customer, some of the gas in your line now comes from the landfill. The release announces no change to rates or accounts.
  • If you want to go to the ribbon cutting, it starts at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9000 Pinegrove Way. The city said attendees can take guided tours of the plant and the landfill. Its release does not say whether you need to sign up first.

Questions about the landfill go to the city’s Public Works Department. The numbers are on our who to call at City Hall page.