On Jan. 26, The Energy Co-op announced the launch of a new Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) product, which provides consumers in Eastern Pennsylvania with a first-of-its-kind, renewable alternative to pipeline natural gas derived from fracking. The new RNG product relies on a patent-pending Renewable Natural Gas Credit (RNGC), which incentivizes landfill operators to distribute landfill gas to local businesses as a sustainable alternative to fracked natural gas. The Energy Co-op, the only local, member-owned energy supplier serving Eastern Pennsylvania, has been empowering consumers’ smart energy decisions by providing unparalleled customer service, transparent pricing and renewable energy choices for more than 35 years.
“This new RNG product has the potential to change how natural gas is produced in the region,” said Eric Kravitz, Director of Business Development at The Energy Co-op. “When you purchase the RNG product, you’re taking a stand against fracking, supporting the development of renewable natural gas and helping to achieve a cleaner, healthier future for Pennsylvania.”
The Energy Co-op is leading the charge for mainstream RNG options in Eastern Pennsylvania. RNGCs, which have the potential to change the way alternatives to pipeline gas are sold, serve as the foundation of renewable natural gas and are a patent pending innovation created by The Co-op. A national model for reducing reliance on pipeline natural gas, RNGCs are conceptually similar to Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), which form the basis of mainstream renewable electricity products. Like RECs, RNGCs are a scalable product that can be applied nationally. The Co-op intends to use them to help develop renewable natural gas sources beyond Pennsylvania.
Pipeline natural gas and RNG are both comprised mostly of methane, and can be used for cooking, heating and as a vehicle fuel. The key distinction between pipeline and landfill gas is the source of the methane and how it is extracted. Pipeline natural gas is a fossil fuel found in underground geological formations, which is extracted via environmentally-disruptive methods, such as fracking. RNG is a biogas that is a natural byproduct of landfills and is produced from the decomposition of organic matter found in landfills. As landfills are constantly replenished with organic waste, RNG is a renewable and environmentally beneficial alternative to pipeline natural gas.
By assigning a monetary value to the environmental benefits of using landfill gas via Renewable Natural Gas Credits (RNGCs), RNG incentivizes landfill operators to distribute landfill gas to local businesses as a sustainable alternative to fracked natural gas. The environmental impact of purchasing RNG through The Energy Co-op is significant. Reducing the consumption of pipeline natural gas reduces the need for greater production, decreasing the potential negative impacts of fracking on local and regional ecosystems and water supplies. Ultimately, the growth of RNG supports a more sustainable method of natural gas production in Pennsylvania and beyond.
When customers enroll in the new RNG product, they will continue to receive pipeline natural gas through PECO; however, The Energy Co-op will purchase RNGCs generated from Pennsylvania landfills to offset customers’ pipeline gas usage. Enrollment is simple, and members will continue to receive their bill through PECO.
“The positive environmental and economic impacts of RNG are clear and signing up is simple,” said Clay Bedwell, Director of Energy Operations at The Energy Co-op. “Your PECO bill, as well as the natural gas infrastructure that serves your house, will be the same. The only thing that will change is a single line item on your PECO bill.”
Through the launch of this new RNG product, and a recent expansion of the renewable electricity product line to include a lower-cost, national product, The Energy Co-op continues its dedication to creating healthier and more sustainable communities by empowering consumers to make informed energy decisions.
