Nicor Gas announces second renewable natural gas interconnection
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Sept. 15, 2025 – Nicor Gas is proud to announce its second renewable natural gas (RNG) interconnection, marking another milestone in the company’s path to a sustainable future. The new project links WM’s (formerly Waste Management) RNG facility at its Orchard Hills Landfill directly to Nicor Gas’ pipeline system. The WM RNG site, located in Davis Junction, Illinois, converts landfill gas into pipeline quality renewable natural gas. The facility is projected to produce approximately 5,709 mcf/d, or over 2 million dekatherms annually of RNG, which is the equivalent energy of powering approximately 18,000 homes served by Nicor Gas.
“This interconnection is a significant step in Nicor Gas and Southern Company Gas' journey toward a clean energy future for Illinois, made possible through the support and collaboration of many who share the goal of advancing economy-wide carbon reductions,” said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. “By bringing sustainable RNG to the marketplace, we foster clean energy job growth and new revenue streams for Illinois businesses, helping our communities thrive and bettering the environment on our path to a sustainable future.”
RNG is a low-carbon intensity fuel produced from biogas that is derived from organic waste sources such as household waste in landfills, wastewater treatment processes and agriculture. As organic waste decomposes, it produces biogas – a mixture of primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing it to be released into the atmosphere or flared, WM’s RNG facility captures it at the landfill and purifies it into a pipeline-quality gas that is interchangeable with geologic natural gas. In some cases, RNG is one of the only energy sources that can have a negative carbon intensity on a lifecycle basis, depending on the feedstock.
The interconnection was established under Nicor Gas’ Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot Program approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2021. This is the second interconnection of a biogas upgrading plant to the Nicor Gas delivery system. Last year, the utility celebrated the opening of its first RNG interconnection in nearby Rockford, Illinois.
Nicor Gas’ pipeline infrastructure is a vital component in enabling reduced emissions for those entities who are purchasing and/or retiring the environmental attributes and delivering energy to end users, as well as encouraging RNG development. The company will receive and retire 20,000 MMbtu annually of environmental attributes associated with this project, contributing directly to Nicor Gas’ reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from its operations.
To learn more about Nicor Gas’s commitment to a clean energy future, visit www.nicorgas.com/sustainability.
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About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), and serves 2.3 million customers in more than 650 communities across northern Illinois. Ranked as a Crain's 2024 Best Place to Work in Chicago and Most Trusted Utility Brand by Escalent, Nicor Gas is fueling customer choice, innovation, economic growth and a sustainable energy future. Nicor Gas is committed to a goal of net zero emissions from its operations by 2050, and we are working to keep bills as low as possible as we continue providing access to safe and reliable natural gas. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Golz
Office: 331.222.8716 | jgolz@southernco.com