Taking recycling to a whole new level, Peoples Gas is expanding the green energy solutions for its customers with an innovative new renewable natural gas service. The waste-to-energy service allows some customers, such as landfills, to create fuel from a waste product – literally, trash.
Natural gas comes from underneath the ground, typically through the mining of fossil fuels. By contrast, renewable natural gas (RNG) comes from organic waste – such as gases generated by landfills or water treatment plants, sometimes called biogas. Special equipment cleans or conditions the biogas to produce RNG, which can then be injected into Peoples Gas’ pipeline – and used just like traditional natural gas. Currently, area landfills and wastewater treatment plants burn off or “flare” the biogas that is generated.
“We are excited to be the first utility in Florida – and among the first in the country – to offer this innovative new service,” said T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas. “This is a win for the environment, a win for our customers, and a win for the communities we serve.”
The Florida Public Service Commission unanimously approved the new utility service on Dec. 12. The service would offer the opportunity for Peoples Gas to clean or condition a customer’s biogas. It would also allow customers to transport their renewable natural gas using the Peoples Gas pipeline in some circumstances.
RNG is sustainable and renewable. It reduces methane, a greenhouse gas, and adds to fuel diversity. It creates a beneficial use out of a waste product that was previously destroyed. Plus, communities may be eligible to receive economic benefits via environmental credits.
Stay tuned! The new conditioning service is expected to be available to customers in 2018.
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