Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a quiet stop in Lambton County on Thursday, but local reporters weren't invited to see it.
Ford was in Watford for the official opening of Waste Management’s (WM) new $200 million renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at the Twin Creeks Environmental Centre.
The event was strictly invitation-only and closed off to local media, with details instead shared in a company news release.
In that statement, Ford credited his government’s work to attract the investment following a trip to Texas this past spring.
"By cutting taxes and red tape, our government is saving businesses and families $12 billion every year, which companies are reinvesting in workers, new equipment and more jobs," said Ford. "This is the message we took to Texas when we met with WM this past spring. The opening of their new, state-of-the-art renewable natural gas facility in Twin Creeks is a terrific example of what happens when governments create the conditions for companies to expand and grow."
The new facility is designed to process up to 8,000 standard cubic feet of landfill (methane) gas per minute, converting it into enough pipeline-quality natural gas to heat roughly 35,000 Ontario homes each year.
Canada's WM President Tracy Black said the new plant shows how Ontario’s existing environmental infrastructure can contribute to the province’s energy and economic priorities.
"By capturing landfill gas and putting it to beneficial use as renewable natural gas, we are creating value from our existing infrastructure while supporting Ontario’s energy future. This investment reflects WM’s long-term commitment to Ontario, our employees and the communities we serve," Black stated in the release.
WM said approximately $200 million was invested to develop the facility, which builds on its "longstanding relationship with Warwick Township."
"Twin Creeks supports local programs and infrastructure through initiatives including the Green Leader Grant program, Watford Arena enhancements and community sponsorships. The site has been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2004 and achieved Conservation Gold Certification in 2025," the news release read.
Changes were announced to WM's landfill complaint process last month, as the testing and commissioning process for the RNG facility was underway.
Warwick Township Mayor Todd Case called it "a step potentially in the right direction", depending on how complaints were dealt with after they were received.
Construction of the RNG facility on Nauvoo Road started in 2024, after plans were announced in 2023.
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