Background:

In 2020, Meridiam acquired a 75% stake in New Energy One, an Idaho biogas facility. The Facility has been in operation since 2011, producing clean, renewable electricity from the anaerobic digestion of dairy manure that is delivered to the electric grid. As a second phase of the Project, Meridiam undertook a significant upgrade of the facility to produce Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”) that will be marketed under the renewable fuel standard programs in the federal and California markets. The anticipated RNG production will be distributed as renewable transportation fuel for commercial vehicles and is estimated to displace approximately 2,000,000 gallons (~7.6m liters) of diesel per year.(1)

Status:

In operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts:

The facility processes approximately 240,000 gallons (~908,500 liters) of dairy waste daily, converting it into RNG for use as a transportation fuel. The byproducts of the process include liquid effluent, which is used for irrigation and fiber, used for animal bedding.
Since taking over the facility in 2021, the facility is now processing twice as much cow manure.(1)

Source: (1) Based on internal statistical analysis by the Project Company

SDG Achievements and Roadmap 

SDG 5 (Gender Equality) – Improving access to leadership opportunities for women. The project company, New Energy One, appointed a female President in 2024, and women make up 40% of management positions.

SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) – Reporting on water management and quality (e.g., water metering), as well as implementation of efficiency initiatives for water use on site are in place to improve water sustainability.

SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – The Asset uses waste to produce energy in a circular economy model. All byproducts from the processes are recycled and reused.

SDG 13 (Climate Action) – An estimated 3,870t CH4 (methane) per year is captured by the system that would be otherwise released in the atmosphere through land application.