What is Renewable Natural Gas?

You’ve probably heard of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, but you may not have heard of renewable natural gas (RNG).  Traditionally, pipeline natural gas comes from deep underground wells and it’s often associated with petroleum production. RNG, or biogas, on the other hand, is natural gas derived from waste sources like agricultural operations facilities, food waste, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. The abundance of these materials allows for production of substantial quantities of biogas.

RNG can be an important renewable energy tool because it is available when consumers need it. Wind and solar are intermittent energy sources – meaning the energy isn’t available when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.  RNG is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week and can be deployed when and where it is needed through the pipeline network.

RNG holds the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while leveraging the nation’s resilient, efficient natural gas distribution network. The Members of PEG support the advancement of natural gas technologies and are researching ways to use diverse resources like RNG in fueling the growth of the tri-county region.