Enbridge Gas will soon convert methane from a landfill near Blenheim into natural gas for distribution in its network.
Enbridge has approval from the Ontario Energy Board to start work on a new project at the Ridge Landfill site.
"The approval of the Ridge Landfill RNG Project in Chatham-Kent marks a significant stride towards a sustainable future," said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones.
The project includes a 5.7 km long pipeline safely transporting natural gas from the landfill to its existing compressor station on Communications Road in Chatham.
Once it has the needed permits, Waste Connections of Canada will build a new renewable natural gas facility at the landfill to upgrade the methane.
Construction on the pipeline and related facilities should start this month, while work at the Ridge Landfill site starts next month. The project could be operational by the end of next year.
The project is expected to create 50 jobs, including several highly-skilled permanent workers at the facility.
Waste Connections of Canada is investing $70-milllion.
"Chatham-Kent is committed to supporting investments such as this that take a leading role in furthering our committed push to net zero," said Mayor Darrin Canniff. "This innovative project is excellent for both Chatham-Kent and our future generations who rely on the sustainable choices we make today."
Enbridge believes the project will offset 110,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year, about the same as if 24,000 cars were taken off the road.
"Net zero is possible," said Enbridge Vice President of Energy Services, Gas Distribution and Storage Jim Redford. "Leveraging the existing gas system to deliver increasing levels of green fuel content, including renewable natural gas, is just one example of the steps we're taking to support the transition to a low-carbon future.