Reducing Greenhouse Gas & Methane Emissions
Methane emissions — which have a global warming potential up to 80% greater than carbon dioxide over the long-term — make up about 10% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Production of Renewable Natural Gas captures methane naturally occurring from decomposing organic matter that would otherwise emitted or flared into the atmosphere.
Improving Air Quality
RNG has the lowest carbon emissions of all transportation fuels, according to the California Air Resources Board — a calculation that already takes into account any foreseeable leakage in RNG transmission and delivery. RNG from made agriculture waste has a carbon intensity score more than 300% cleaner than the baseline calculation (diesel fuel).
Reducing Particulate Matter from Transportation
Fueling vehicles with RNG reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 80% or more. UC Riverside found that the latest ultra-lox NOx natural gas engines in heavy-duty vehicles cut smog-forming emissions by more than 90% below U.S. EPA standards. Using our potential RNG resources could annually replace 7 billion gallons of diesel used in transportation.
Cleaner Buildings
RNG is the most efficient approach to decarbonize buildings according to a study by Navigant Consulting. For example, if the nation’s largest gas utility replaced less than 20% of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable gas, it would achieve the same greenhouse gas reductions as converting all homes and commercial buildings in the state to all-electric appliances.