WASHINGTON, June 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today joined Énergir, a Canadian natural gas utility, along with French utilities GRDF and GRTgaz to announce a new collaboration aimed at advancing the research and development of renewable natural gas and technologies such as power-to-gas. The collaboration will focus on research and development, public policy, and outreach. SoCalGas Vice President of Customer Solutions and Strategy Sharon Tomkins made the announcement alongside Énergir Senior Vice President of Development, Communities, Corporate Affairs and Operational Safety Martin Imbleau, Laurent Théry, International and Business Development Director for GRTgaz and Christophe Wagner, International Director for GRDF, during the World Gas Conference in Washington D.C.

"Advances in natural gas technologies have helped clean our air and helped reduce emissions linked to climate change," said Sharon Tomkins, vice president of customer solutions and strategy for SoCalGas. "We are excited to collaborate with our French and Canadian counterparts to speed up the development of the next generation of innovations including renewable natural gas, solar-powered hydrogen generation, fuel cells, power-to-gas and other technologies. Together the work we're doing today will help provide reliable and affordable natural gas service to millions of families and businesses for decades to come."