REN Energy International Corp has received approval from a British Columbia governmental agency for the development of a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility.

Canadian Biomass magazine reported that REN Energy will be building a production facility that will create RNG produced from wood waste. This innovative project features a unique combination of existing technology being used for the first time in North America and will reduce emissions from British Columbia’s expansive forestry sector. The production facility will be located near Fruitvale.

“Our Regional District believes this clean-energy project is a win for our community by bringing in new jobs and increasing revenue for the Beaver Valley,” said Ali Grieve, director, Kootenay Boundary Regional District. “We are supporting a cleaner future by improving environmental outcomes with this new technology.”

“Fruitvale is very excited about the opportunity for dozens of local well-paying jobs and fully supports this project as it moves forward,” said Steve Morissette, mayor of Fruitvale. “The RNG facility will dovetail nicely with Fruitvale’s commitment to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 and Fruitvale will be in a position to support the workforce with housing and childcare within 24 months”.

Once operational, significant new volumes of RNG will be purchased by FortisBC, a leading energy utility in the province, and injected into its gas system for use by its customers.

By 2030, REN Energy plans to be the single largest supplier of RNG to FortisBC and is expected to greatly assist in providing the RNG volumes needed to meet the province’s CleanBC RNG mandate.