When it comes to addressing climate change, we must pursue the many diverse approaches for reducing carbon emissions. One of the most overlooked opportunities in our arsenal today is renewable natural gas (RNG).

It's simply not getting enough attention in relationship to its potential for major impact.

RNG is natural gas derived from processing raw biogas, which is produced from industry, agriculture and waste management. The most common source of biogas — which consists largely of methane — is the breakdown of organic waste at wastewater treatment plants and landfills. And methane is at least 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. By capturing waste methane and processing it to make RNG, we can avoid its negative effects while also decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

By Michael Bakas, Utility Dive