Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Gas Systems, based in South Burlington, has introduced bio-methane into the mix of sources that supplies its customers in Franklin and Chittenden counties, the company announced Thursday. "Renewable natural gas," or bio-methane, is produced naturally from the decomposition of organic materials found in manure and landfills and can be used to supplement traditional natural gas. The renewable methane now flowing into the Vermont Gas system as part of this pilot project is enough to heat 350 average residential homes. It is sourced from a Quebec landfill. Natural gas is also methane.
Don Gilbert, president and CEO of Vermont Gas, said supporting the expansion of renewable natural gas production in Vermont is one of the company’s priorities.
“Vermont Gas is also supporting the development of the first commercial-scale, agriculturally-based renewable natural gas production facility in Vermont, and intends to make it, or a blend, available to more and more customers in the coming years as part of our continued commitment to expand the availability of cleaner and more affordable natural gas to more Vermonters,” Gilbert said.
Vermont Gas said renewable natural gas can help farmers turn waste products into a cash crop and produces all-natural, bacteria-free compost and animal bedding as a byproduct.
“With the encouragement and support of the Vermont Department of Public Service, we are working to incorporate renewable natural gas into our mix consistent with the state’s comprehensive energy plan,” added Gilbert. “In addition, our goal is to develop the renewable natural gas market further so that customers can choose to exclusively purchase renewable natural gas in the future.”
“Renewable natural gas has tremendous advantages,” he continued. “It produces a heating fuel that reduces lifecycle emissions by more than 90 percent compared to other sources, reduces phosphorous runoff into waterways like Lake Champlain and can contribute to Vermont’s renewable energy goals. Vermont Gas is pleased to make this first foray toward bringing renewable natural gas into its system”
Referring to renewable gas as “the ultimate win-win energy source” for farmers, the Natural Resources Defense Council believes that renewable natural gas has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.8 million metric tons nationally – the equivalent of taking 6.5 million cars off the road.
Green Mountain Power, based in Colchester (whose parent company is owned by Gaz Metro, as is Vermont Gas), already has a Cow Power program, in which it works with dairy farms to turn manure into methane, which in turn is used to generate electricity.
Washington Electric Cooperative, based in Montpelier, produces a substantial amount of electricity from the methane produced at the landfill in Coventry. The methane generation facility provides about two-thirds of WEC’s members’ electricity needs. The 8 megawatt facility employs five turbines to generate the electricity.
Source: VGS, GMP, WEC. 8.7.2014