Member Spotlight

Western Virginia Water Authority, based in Roanoke, VA, has long utilized biogas from its Water Pollution Control (WPC) Plant to offset facility energy needs. However, a groundbreaking partnership with Roanoke Gas Company (RGC) created an innovative way to further optimize this renewable resource - benefiting not only ratepayers but the broader community. Together, the Authority and RGC developed a Biogas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project, driven by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, advanced technology and exceptional service. Their joint efforts also aimed to enhance the safe and efficient handling of natural gas, maximizing its potential as a clean energy source. 

This pioneering project involved constructing a digester gas conditioning system and an interconnect facility at the Authority’s Roanoke Regional WPC Plant. Simultaneously, RGC built its facility alongside the Authority’s digester rehabilitation efforts, where biogas is naturally produced as a by-product of the anaerobic digestion process. Using an advanced membrane separation system, the process refines raw digester gas into commercial-quality natural gas. After a thorough regulatory review, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved RGC’s renewable natural gas facility - marking the first Commission-approved RNG project by a gas utility in Virginia. The facility directly injects refined RNG into RGC’s system via an eight-inch steel distribution main that spans 18 miles through Roanoke, including a direct connection at the Authority’s WPC Plant.

By fully recycling waste into a renewable energy source, this partnership demonstrates the potential for sustainability and energy recovery in the clean water sector. The digester gas conditioning system will have the ability to treat a biogas design flow of 550,000 cubic feet per day (cfd) to create commercial quality RNG. Under this collaboration, the Authority leases land to RGC for the gas conditioning facility, sells its biogas to RGC and shares in revenue generated through Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits.

The success of this project showcases the power of collaboration in advancing renewable energy solutions. It not only provides a sustainable approach to resource recovery but also delivers long-term economic and environmental benefits to Roanoke and beyond.

NACWA awarded the Western Virginia Water Authority a 2025 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Research & Technology category for its innovative project. Congratulations to everyone involved!