RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.PA Utility UGI Receives Regulatory Approval for First of Its Kind RNG Pilot
UGI Utilities has received regulatory approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to purchase renewable natural gas as part of a five-year pilot program. The pilot, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, is intended to explore how UGI Utilities can integrate renewable natural gas (RNG) into its supply portfolio to produce economic and environmental benefits for its Purchased Gas Cost customers. The pilot allows UGI Utilities to test adding RNG to its supply portfolio while leveraging certain available economic incentives for renewables to lessen the cost impact of purchasing RNG for customers.
Read more…
J.D. Power: Informing Gas Utility Business Customers of RNG Increases Satisfaction
Renewable natural gas has become a hot topic, and gas utility business customers like to hear about it, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction StudySM. This year, the study is redesigned to include questions on renewable energy and is a topic that clearly drives satisfaction.
Seaspan Ferries Becomes First Canadian Marine Company to Pilot Use of RNG
Seaspan Ferries Corporation (Seaspan) has become the first Canadian marine company to pilot the use of Renewable Natural Gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its roll-on, roll-off liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered marine fleet. Seaspan expects that data from the pilot will confirm that, by using RNG, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by upwards of 85 per cent versus traditional diesel fuel.
As part of Seaspan's continued efforts to reduce vessel emissions and explore alternative fuels, the company has worked closely with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) to secure a source of certified carbon neutral RNG. FortisBC believes applying carbon-neutral energy to proven technology like LNG powered marine engines provides a viable way for forward thinking marine shipping companies like Seaspan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Generate Capital Among Recipients of Energy Vision Awards
Energy Vision (EV), a non-profit research organization which studies and promotes clean, carbon-free fuels for a sustainable energy future, held its 15th annual awards event. EV annually presents awards to organizations and people who play a pioneering role in advancing sustainable fuels, especially renewable natural gas (RNG), the lowest-carbon fuel available, which is made from organic wastes. The 2021 awardees, are Congressman Paul D. Tonko of New York, the City of Topeka, Generate Capital, and Glenfiddich/William Grant & Sons.
These 2021 Energy Vision awardees are in the vanguard of a growing trend toward RNG adoption in the US and abroad.
Interview With RNG Coalition Director of Public Policy, Sam Wade
“Through effective advocacy and education, we are working to simultaneously reduce the environmental impacts of society’s organic waste and decarbonize conventional natural gas use through the sustainable development, deployment, and utilization of renewable gas. As a waste-derived, circular source of renewable energy, renewable natural gas (RNG) epitomizes sustainability and is a no-regrets solution uniquely positioned to achieve these dual benefits as part of a broader clean energy transition. Achieving these goals will require improved public awareness, increased policy support, and stakeholder collaboration.”
- Sam Wade, Director of Public Policy at The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
British Columbia Investing in Renewable Gas Capture at Vancouver Landfill
British Columbia is investing $4.28 million to expand the Vancouver landfill's gas-capture system through the CleanBC Industry Fund, with matching funds from the City of Vancouver. The project will expand the current landfill gas-collection system by installing a system of wells, collectors and piping to capture methane and carbon dioxide that would otherwise be vented to the atmosphere.
Vitol to Buy Renewable Gas, Acquire Stake in Waga Energy
Vitol has agreed a preliminary supply deal to buy renewable natural gas from Waga Energy and acquire a minority equity stake in the company as part of moves to expand its clean energy portfolio, the commodity trading group said Oct. 18.
Shell To Break Ground On Idaho Dairy RNG Facility
Construction on a new facility that will change dairy manure to natural gas will break ground next month in Wendell. Named Shell Downstream Bovarius, the facility is expected to produce 400,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas per year once up and running.
EBA: Europe Should Recognize Renewable Gas as a Solution to Avoid Gas Price Hikes
The EU is fully immersed in an energy transition, but while renewable electricity is increasing, the European Commission finds that the bloc is still 90 percent dependent on imported fossil gas with not enough gas to heat homes and supply industries in the post-pandemic recovery, and refill stocks before the winter.
The European Biogas Association (EBA) highlights that studies from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Gas for Climate, Eurogas, Cerre, or CE Delft evaluating the potential of biomethane, suggest that renewable gas could cover 30-40 percent of the gas demand in Europe by 2050.
First Maryland Utility Gains Regulatory Approval for RNG Use
BGE is the first utility in Maryland to gain regulatory approval for the use of renewable natural gas on its gas distribution system. Approval of BGE’s RNG tariff from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) comes as Maryland’s first RNG plant, owned and operated by Bioenergy Devco, nears completion in Howard County.
Don’t miss an update—join our weekly newsletter below.