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Sustainable development

Renewable Natural Gas Gains Recognition in Green Building Standards

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has praised the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for incorporating the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) into the latest beta version of its LEED green building rating system. RNG is a low-carbon fuel produced from waste that can be used in the same way as traditional natural gas, providing a viable option for green building design.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USGBC has included the use of RNG in its latest LEED green building rating system, allowing projects to earn LEED points by capturing and using biogas on site, sourcing biogas from a third party, or purchasing biogas for storage.
  • RNG is a low-carbon fuel that can be used for heating, hot water, and cooking in commercial buildings, as well as for stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, and heating in homes.
  • The number of LEED points determines the level of LEED certification a project can achieve.
  • Renewable natural gas can be carbon negative and can replace traditional natural gas in all its uses, making it a highly efficient way to decarbonize buildings.
  • SoCalGas is working to make RNG available to its 22 million customers across Central and Southern California, asking the CPUC to authorize customers to purchase RNG and use it as part of their natural gas service.
  • The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to rule on whether to approve the service this month.
  • SoCalGas has committed to delivering 5% renewable gas to homes and businesses by 2022 and 20% by 2030 as part of its vision to be the cleanest gas utility in North America.
  • Investment in RNG is growing nationally, with Oregon, Virginia, and other states enacting legislation to support the use of RNG.
  • In 20 years, there could be enough RNG available in the U.S. to replace about 90% of the nation's current residential natural gas consumption, according to a recent study by ICF.
  • Currently, natural gas utilities in several states, including Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Maine, and Michigan, provide RNG to homeowners.

Statistics:

  • 80% of methane emissions in California come from agriculture and organic waste.
  • California passed a law in 2016 requiring a 40% reduction of methane emissions from waste sources by 2030.
  • The state expects to increase supplies of RNG and turn the organic waste problem into an affordable and renewable energy solution.
  • At least 160 RNG production facilities will be online in California within three and a half years to serve the transportation fuel sector.
  • These facilities will produce over 15.8 million therms of carbon-negative RNG every year, replacing about 119 million gallons of diesel fuel.
  • This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to taking over 730,000 cars off the road every year.

Sources:

  • U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
  • Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
  • California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
  • Bioenergy Association of California
  • RNG Coalition
  • Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE)

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