Environmental benefits of Renewable Natural Gas

With Renewable Natural Gas¹ (RNG), we’re creating low-carbon² energy from organic waste. RNG is helping us transform BC’s energy future and supporting the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030. We’re excited to be working with farmers, landfills, municipalities and other suppliers to make this innovative energy.

Please note: With recent approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission, all gas customers will have a portion of their gas automatically designated as Renewable Natural Gas¹ beginning July 1, 2024. This will support B.C.’s clean energy transformation. No action is required from customers, and we’ll keep you up to date as more information becomes available.

Renewable Natural Gas helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

• When you use RNG, it reduces the GHGs that would otherwise be emitted from using the same amount of conventional natural gas. This versatile, innovative fuel is used to reduce GHG emissions in homes, businesses and the transportation sector.
• RNG is low-carbon and its combustion of RNG releases biogenic carbon dioxide, which does not add to the natural carbon cycle.

Renewable Natural Gas production can create sustainable byproducts

• Our suppliers may be able to produce byproducts that can be used as organic fertilizer, mulch or hygienic bedding material for livestock.
• Local farmers may become less reliant on chemical fertilizers, because these nutrient-rich byproducts can replace or minimize the use of chemical fertilizers.

¹Renewable 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.