Vanguard Renewables Achieves Major Milestone with Completion of Three RNG Facilities

Vanguard Renewables has reached a significant milestone with the completion of three Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facilities, reinforcing its commitment to innovate the energy landscape using food waste. This noteworthy achievement reflects extensive efforts through development, construction, and operational processes across various states. Together, these projects significantly scale up Vanguard Renewables' operations.

The completion of the final facility at Amelia Court House, Virginia, situated at the oldest continuously operating dairy farm in the state, symbolizes a successful joint venture with TotalEnergies, and a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca. Collectively, these facilities are capable of producing nearly 870,000 MMBtu of RNG annually, while simultaneously diverting massive amounts of organic waste from landfills across three states each year.

Mike O'Laughlin, CEO of Vanguard Renewables, shared insights about the impact of this venture, stating, “At a time when demand on America's energy infrastructure has never been greater, food and agricultural waste represent one of the country's most underutilized resources. These facilities showcase how our model delivers extensive benefits that go beyond the energy produced.”

The partnership with TotalEnergies combined forces in organics recycling and biomethane production, illustrating how strategic collaborations can fast-track the establishment of scalable, low-carbon energy solutions in the United States. Each facility's RNG outputs are directed towards AstraZeneca's research and manufacturing processes in the U.S., underscoring a robust corporate commitment to sustainability. During 2025, this partnership facilitated around 33 GWh of RNG, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to reducing emissions while providing local community benefits.

Jim Fox, Senior Vice President of AstraZeneca Americas Supply Operations, expressed the essence of the partnership, stating: “The commissioning of the Amelia Court House facility embodies our initial commitment to collaborate extensively for sustainable scientific and medicinal outcomes. By incorporating RNG from these facilities, we demonstrate our Ambition Zero Carbon program.”

The facilities leverage anaerobic digestion alongside advanced depackaging systems designed to handle a diverse range of food and beverage waste that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. The operational capacity achieved through these projects significantly represents how agricultural waste and food waste can serve dual purposes: meeting energy demands and enhancing resource sustainability.

Vanguard Renewables also emphasizes the symbiotic relationships established with farm partners, highlighting that the organic waste generated in farming communities has great potential for producing RNG, estimated at around 1,580 trillion Btu annually. By co-locating facilities on active farms, this partnership not only generates new revenue for landowners but also reduces operational costs for farms, further urging producers to innovate and engage sustainably. Jeremy Moyer, co-owner of Oakmulgee Dairy Farm, voiced pride in the collaboration: “This partnership strengthens our business and local community, providing another income stream while ensuring the agricultural land remains productive for future generations.”

The increasing demand for domestic RNG is being stimulated by stricter global regulatory measures and corporate sustainability pledges. The infrastructure being developed now positions Vanguard Renewables to meet and scale this demand effectively across the nation and even beyond.

About Vanguard Renewables

As a leader in environmental services and biomethane production, Vanguard Renewables stands at the forefront of converting organic waste into renewable energy. Based in Weston, Massachusetts, they specialize in building, owning, and operating anaerobic digesters that transform food, beverage, and agricultural waste into renewable natural gas ready for the pipeline. Their aim is to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, bolster domestic energy infrastructure, and promote regenerative agriculture for farms across America. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock. To learn more about their initiatives, visit Vanguard Renewables.