October 12, 2026. Nopetro Energy, a vertically integrated producer, distributor and operator of natural gas solutions across North America, joined Manatee County, Johnson Controls and Mead & Hunt this morning at the Lena Road Landfill to break ground on a $50 million renewable natural gas (RNG) production facility, the first of its kind on Florida’s west coast.
The facility will capture and purify landfill methane for delivery through existing pipelines, supplying a cleaner fuel option for buses and trucks. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of construction on the project, first announced in November 2025, with operations expected to commence in 2027. It featured an unveiling of new site renderings and additional project details, alongside remarks from key stakeholders behind the development.
“Today is an exciting day for Nopetro and for Manatee County as we’re turning something that was once considered waste into a valuable energy resource for Florida,” said Jorge Herrera, CEO of Nopetro Energy. “We’re taking landfill gas that would otherwise be wasted, turning it into renewable natural gas and putting it into the pipeline to serve Florida’s transportation needs. We’re proud to bring that investment to Manatee County and to be building a project that will deliver value for years to come.”