PORTLAND, ORE. — Tyson Foods Inc. recently partnered with NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Co. and BioCarbN, a developer of environmental infrastructure projects, on a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility.  

NW Natural said it invested approximately $12 million to convert methane captured at the Tyson Dakota City, Neb., operations to heat homes and businesses. The first partnership was announced in January 2022 by the companies and involved a Tyson operation in Lexington, Neb.

At full capacity, the two projects are expected to produce about 240,000 MMBtu of RNG each year. The companies said that’s enough energy to provide heat for more than 5,400 homes annually.

“Each project like this contributes meaningful carbon reductions on behalf of our customers and moves us toward achieving our shared climate goals,” said David H. Anderson, NW Natural president and chief executive officer. “We’re aggressively pursuing additional opportunities, so we can increase our use of renewables over time.”

NW Natural said it is working toward procuring RNG equivalent to 5% of its Oregon sales volume in 2024 and 6% in 2025 as part of voluntary company targets. 

“These investments are made possible through the landmark RNG law, Oregon Senate Bill 98, which supports renewable energy procurement and investment by natural gas utilities,” NW Natural said. 

RNG production includes the breakdown of materials like agricultural and forestry by-products, food waste, wastewater or landfills. 

“RNG can provide similar climate benefits to wind and solar, with the reliability and seasonal storage capabilities of natural gas – all while capturing, conditioning and utilizing organic material that would otherwise contribute carbon to the atmosphere,” the company said.

Other partners on these projects include BioCarbN, an Idaho-based developer and operator of renewable energy projects and Miron Construction Co. Inc., a Wisconsin-based design-build and construction company.