Smithfield, together with Duke Energy, Completes RNG distribution system in North Carolina
Smithfield Foods Inc. announced on Jan. 8 that it is now producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from the wastewater treatment system at its Tar Heel, North Carolina, pork processing plant.
The company partnered with Duke Energy and OptimaBio LLC, a bioenergy project developer, to complete the project that will help power 2,000 homes and businesses in the area.
Smithfield said the project cost $14 million to complete and will help the company’s overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2025.
With its alliance with Duke Energy, roughly 140,000 dekatherms of RNG per year will be transported to natural gas plants and used to generate electricity for people.
By Ryan McCarthy, Meat + Poultry