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APGA Submits Comments to EPA on RNG Use

By Stuart Saulters posted 11-05-2020 11:02 AM

  
On October 30, APGA submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responding to their proposal to voluntarily report supply of renewable natural gas (RNG) through natural gas transmission and distribution systems. This would occur through the Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program, in which the EPA encourages partners, which include natural gas distribution companies, to make ambitious commitments to reduce methane emissions through implementation of cost-effective technologies and practices. The EPA recognizes ongoing advances in approaches for identifying, measuring, and mitigating methane emissions and is always looking for ways to acknowledge the efforts of industry. That is why a new Best Management Practice (BMP) commitment option was proposed to better capture which natural gas distribution companies receive and supply RNG through voluntarily reporting it to the EPA.

APGA provided a few general comments to the EPA. Principally, APGA was encouraged to see the EPA put forward this proposal recognizing that by transmitting and distributing RNG in their systems to end users, distribution companies are playing a valuable role in providing market access for methane recovery projects, and overall, decreasing emissions. As well, with the goal of the BMP commitment option to support RNG use throughout the country, APGA asked the EPA to allow for companies to be recognized for purchases of RNG, as opposed to just for direct injection into their system. This would go far in highlighting the distribution segment’s proactive efforts to use RNG and protect America’s environment. Perhaps most importantly, APGA asked EPA to continue to support RNG use, recognizing this is an advancement to mitigate methane emissions that pipeline operators are undertaking.

APGA members play a critical role in delivering Americans the energy they need through an existing safe and reliable pipeline infrastructure with an already trained and competent workforce. This gas distribution network can and should be leveraged to enable the delivery of renewable fuels, such as RNG.

To see a copy of the submitted comments, 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.

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