Renewable Natural Gas for buildings and developments

Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG) is a low-carbon2 energy that can help reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Adding RNG to North America’s gas system doesn’t require homes or businesses to make any changes or retrofits to existing gas appliances or equipment.

Demand continues to grow for this low-carbon energy, with more than 14,000 B.C. homes and businesses already subscribed to the voluntary RNG program. We’re working closely with the building sector to support builders and developers. Our energy solutions managers are here to answer questions about your next project and how RNG can be a fit.

Common questions and answers about RNG

When bacteria break down organic waste from sources such as landfill sites, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities, they produce a biogas mostly made of methane. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG.

North America’s natural gas systems are all interconnected, so when RNG is injected into the gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means that we’re unable to direct RNG to a specific location. However, the more RNG that is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall GHG emissions. Find out how RNG is delivered.

No special infrastructure, equipment or appliances are needed from builders or customers to use RNG.

Transitioning to a lower-carbon energy future

To support the energy transition, we’re focused on reducing carbon emissions in our existing gas system by investing in renewable and low-carbon gases3, such as RNG and, potentially in the future, hydrogen, in place of conventional natural gas.

Amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation (GGRR) of the Clean Energy Act enables utilities, like FortisBC, to take a major role in establishing and growing the hydrogen sector in BC.

We’re here to help

To learn more about RNG, connect with an energy solutions manager in your region.

1 Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America’s natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we’re unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions.

2When compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The burner tip emission factor of FortisBC’s current Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) portfolio is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ). FortisBC’s current RNG portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s low carbon threshold for lifecycle carbon intensity of 30.8 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments.

3FortisBC uses the term renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to the low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC’s renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s low carbon threshold for lifecycle carbon intensity of 30.8 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments.