Raleigh NC Launches $227M Bioenergy Project to Power City Transit with Renewable Natural Gas
The city of Raleigh, North Carolina has commissioned a $227 million bioenergy project which converts wastewater into renewable natural gas that powers the municipality’s bus fleet.
In a story first reported by editor Alex Cossin for Wastewater Digest, Raleigh city officials celebrated commissioning of the Bioenergy Recovery Project at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility. The system uses anaerobic digestion and thermal hydrolysis process to produce RNG from 50 million gallons of wastewater daily.
“This project proves that we don’t have to choose between protecting our planet and operating efficiently,” said Whit Wheeler, Raleigh water director, in a press release. “We’re taking something that used to be waste and turning it into clean energy that will fuel our city for years to come.”
The new system captures and purifies biogas, converting it into pipeline-grade RNG that is injected into a nearby natural gas network. The gas will primarily fuel the city’s bus fleet, with excess supply available for sale to generate revenue.
Developed through collaboration among Raleigh Water, GoRaleigh, and the Office of Sustainability, the Bioenergy Recovery Project aligns with the city’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. The project was led by Edward Stempien, P.E., with Crowder Construction Company as construction manager and Hazen & Sawyer and Black & Veatch as engineers of record.
Completed in summer 2025 and celebrated with a ribbon cutting in fall 2025, the facility represents a key step toward the city of Raleigh’s circular economy vision — turning wastewater byproducts into renewable resources that support both environmental and operational sustainability.
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