Before this week’s deadline, APGA submitted comments to the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), which is developing a new Green-e standard and certification program for renewable natural gas (RNG). This work is precedential and valuable for APGA to engage. Public natural gas utilities are appreciative that CRS is developing this standard, which provides requirements for the certification of renewable gas production, sales, and consumption. With this, more stakeholders in the end use energy market will consider RNG.
The recent comments were in response to a third request for input from CRS. In previous feedback, APGA raised concerns with earlier versions. It appears that CRS heard that input and will allow residential biomethane programs to participate in the certification program without any supplemental electrification disclosures required to send to customers.
In this third and final comment period, the questions CRS was asking pertained to responsibly addressing animal waste and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Given the specificity of this inquiry, APGA just offered general input, acknowledging that public natural gas utilities are very supportive of animal waste being included as an eligible resource type in the standard. If they are allowed, there is significant potential for avoiding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as non-GHG pollution to the air, water, and soil. Plus, responsibly reusing waste streams can have positive environmental justice impacts. The comments also requested appropriateness in what is required for CAFOs to utilize this standard, hopefully encouraging more participation, not less, recognizing that taking any animal waste and reusing as a fuel is much better than the current practice of not doing anything.
APGA is hopeful that CRS will take this feedback and develop a Green-e standard and certification program that utilizes America’s pipeline infrastructure and trained workforce in achieving our country’s clean energy future. By submitting comments, APGA also reinforces to CRS that public natural gas utilities are critical to the energy value chain.
To see the attached final comments submitted,
click here.
For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at
ssaulters@apga.org.