Jackson Township Refers Manure-to-Gas Plant Proposal to Planning Commission

Article Summary: Representatives for a company named Elwood81, LLC, presented a proposal for an anaerobic digestion facility to the Jackson Township Board. Following the presentation, the board directed the company to submit its plans to the township’s planning and zoning commission for a formal review.

Anaerobic Digestion Project Key Points:

• Representatives from Elwood81, LLC, presented their project to the township board on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

• The project involves an anaerobic digestion process, a method of converting organic waste like manure into biogas.

• Supervisor Matt Robbins will contact the township’s planning and zoning commission to arrange for the company to present its plans to them.

• This referral is the next official step for the project, which was first introduced to the board in July.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, IL – A proposal to build a local anaerobic digestion facility took a step forward on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, as the Jackson Township Board referred the project to its planning and zoning commission for review.

Representatives from Elwood81, LLC, attended the meeting to formally present their project, which involves converting organic waste into energy. While details of the presentation were not included in the public minutes, Supervisor Matt Robbins stated that the next step would be a formal review by the township’s planners. Robbins will contact the planning and zoning commission to facilitate that presentation.

The project was first mentioned at the township’s July meeting, where it was described as a facility that would take manure from the Bernhard Hog farm and convert it into gas. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that breaks down organic materials in an oxygen-free environment, creating biogas that can be refined into renewable natural gas. This technology is often used in agricultural areas as a way to manage animal waste while simultaneously producing energy and reducing methane emissions.

The referral to the planning and zoning commission is a standard part of the local government review process for new development. The commission will be responsible for examining the technical details of the proposal, ensuring it complies with local zoning ordinances, and considering its potential impact on the community and environment before making a recommendation back to the Township Board of Trustees.