Tuesday, Corpus Christi city council approved a new pipeline helping solid waste plants convert landfill gas into clean, renewable natural gas.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi City Council has approved an amendment expanding the city’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy project, adding a third pipeline that will link local landfill sites and increase methane recovery for clean energy production. And city leaders say it’s all while greatly benefiting both the city’s environment and economy.
The Solid Waste Services Department first partnered with Corpus Christi Renewables in 2024 to convert landfill gas into energy, reducing methane emissions from decomposing waste while generating new city revenue.
Councilman Roland Barrera said the project has been supported from the start.
“Back in 2023, the Solid Waste Department put together this action plan to dispose of methane gas, knowing before we just used to burn it up and flare it out,” Barrera said.
Solid Waste Director Philip Aldridge explained that the new line will connect the privately operated El Centro Landfill in Robstown to the city’s Cefe Venezuela landfill.
“Our city gas department will be installing the pipeline from Robstown to our landfill,” Aldridge said. “They’ll be receiving a construction fee for that, as well as us, the Solid Waste Department, we’ll be receiving the ongoing fees for usage.”
The city will receive an initial $1.2 million payment to install the pipeline and then $100,000 annually for continued operation.
Councilman Gil Hernandez said the project has already proved profitable for the city.
“We’re selling the methane that’s being produced by the waste that’s in the landfill,” Hernandez said. “That has allowed us to not increase our solid waste rates in the utility bill this year.”
Councilman Barrera added that the expansion will also bring more jobs and a new partner for the city, saying this could potentially open the door to future expansions.
“It’s a win-win for the community,” he said. “It’s created jobs and now it’s going to expand it even more.