The deal not only cleans up the City’s air quality but also transforms a waste byproduct—landfill gas—into a valuable, low-carbon energy asset.
The City of Philadelphia has taken a significant stride toward decarbonizing its municipal operations, announcing a new partnership with UGI Energy Services, LLC (UGIES) to supply Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for its fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trash compactors. This landmark agreement marks the first time the City will utilize RNG environmental attributes for its fleet, establishing a local framework for turning waste into clean, usable energy.
The partnership, announced by UGI Corporation’s subsidiary, will see Philadelphia purchase biogas primarily sourced from landfills within Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. This renewable fuel will directly power 35 CNG-fueled trash compactors, a core component of the City's waste management services.
“By transitioning our City fleet to renewable natural gas, we’re investing in smarter energy and a more sustainable future,” said Joseph Rosati, Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Fleet Services. “This initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a cleaner municipal fleet and responsible city leadership.”
The core of the initiative is environmental sustainability. RNG is created by capturing methane emissions that naturally occur as organic waste decomposes in landfills. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and capturing it before it escapes into the atmosphere significantly reduces environmental impact. By using this captured gas, the project reduces the amount of methane that would otherwise be flared at participating landfill facilities.
Joe Hartz, President of UGI Energy Services, confirmed the focus on local supply: “We source biogas from a portfolio of landfill projects to ensure security of supply for our customers and prioritize production from Pennsylvania landfills for delivery to customers located throughout the Commonwealth.”
Renewable Natural Gas, or biomethane, is a pipeline-quality gas that has been processed and cleaned of impurities, making it chemically interchangeable with conventional fossil natural gas. This allows it to be injected into the existing gas distribution system and used without needing infrastructure overhauls. As a transportation fuel in the form of CNG, RNG qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard.
Liz Lankenau, Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal. “Through our partnership, UGI Energy Services will prioritize capturing and reusing gas from local landfills to power our trash compactors, which supports the local market for fossil fuel alternatives like renewable natural gas,” she said.
