February 13, 2026. Novilla RNG has completed two successful operational months at its Bellevue Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project in Berkshire, Vermont, delivering more than 20,000 MMBtu of energy to Vermont Gas’s (VGS) natural gas network (enough energy to heat 1,400 homes), achieving successful operations and delivering on environmental goals laid out three years ago.
“From start to finish, this project has delivered exactly as intended, and we’re very pleased with its performance to date,” said Mark Hill, CO-CEO of Novilla RNG. “Our team successfully designed, built, and now operates this farm-based energy system that captures methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and converts it into reliable, Vermont-produced energy. This project also generated meaningful economic activity, strengthened the long-term viability of the farm, and helped Vermont Gas extend service to more Vermonters. Bellevue demonstrates that well-executed, farm-based infrastructure can deliver measurable environmental benefits and support agriculture.”
The renewable natural gas facility, located at Pleasant Valley Farms, takes dairy manure and digests it in an anaerobic digester, producing a biogas containing methane that is purified to above pipeline quality standards. The gas is injected into Vermont Gas’s system for delivery to customers’ homes and businesses. Vermont Gas will purchase nearly all output produced in 2026 and a portion of the gas going forward ensuring that this local energy source benefits Vermont for years to come.
“We are proud to partner with Novilla RNG and Pleasant Valley Farms on the second farm-based digester and RNG project in Vermont,” said Neale Lunderville, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “At Vermont Gas, we see homegrown energy harnessed from local farms as an opportunity to support our agricultural community while offsetting natural gas we would otherwise import. When we can source energy locally, it delivers real value for our customers while directly supporting Vermont farms and our working landscape. This project also allowed us to expand natural gas service in Franklin County, welcoming new customers. It’s a win-win for our farmers and for the 56,000 customers we serve across northwest Vermont. This project was made possible through a multi-year collaboration, and I want to thank Pleasant Valley Farms, Novilla RNG, and our exceptional engineering and constructions teams who helped successfully lead this project to completion.”
The gas is environmentally beneficial since without a digester removing methane potential from manure, typical farming practices would place manure in a lagoon that releases methane and odors into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. By partnering with Pleasant Valley Farms, the Bellevue RNG project removes the greenhouse gas equivalent of over 6,500 cars from the road while producing enough energy each year to heat the homes in a town the equivalent size of Enosburg, Vermont.
The project brought several environmental and economic benefits to Vermont including:
- A natural gas line from Enosburg to the project that allowed customers along the route to switch from higher polluting fuel oil and propane to less expensive and cleaner natural gas, potentially saving a typical homeowner as much as $1,241 per year.
- Locally produced renewable natural gas is expected to reduce imported fossil-based natural gas by 110,000 MMBtu a year.
- Over $6.5 Million spent during construction with Vermont-based contractors.
- Two full-time Vermont-based employees.
Since the first injection of gas on November 20th, 2025, the plant has been selling gas to VGS 99.3% of the time and has had no shutdowns due to gas quality issues, supplying locally produced natural gas during one of the largest demand periods in the past decade.