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Harnessing clean energy from farms, food waste and landfills for the good of the climate, consumers and family farmers.
Renewable energy comes from many sources - solar, wind and hydroelectric dams. But did you know it also comes from farms and food waste? That’s right! We’re turning farm and food waste into clean energy for consumers. It’s called renewable natural gas, and it’s making the world a better place by reducing emissions, producing clean energy and providing new income for family farmers. It’s also helping Dominion Energy achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Few clean energy sources can do so much good, so broadly across the economy. Here are some of the ways renewable natural gas is making the world a better place:
Fewer Emissions for the Climate
Renewable natural gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions from farms, food waste and landfills, which protects the climate and makes our air cleaner.
Clean Energy for Consumers
Renewable natural gas combines the environmental benefits of renewables with the reliability of natural gas to meet the 24/7 needs of our customers.
Income for Family Farmers
Renewable natural gas generates additional income for family farmers, turning one of their biggest costs into a new source of revenue.
Renewable natural gas is a great technology, but we can’t do it alone. So, we’re teaming up with the nation’s largest pork and dairy producers to develop projects across the country. Once all of our projects are developed in the next 10 years, we will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by more than 3.5 million metric tons. That’s the same as taking 750,000 cars off the road or planting 60 million new trees each year.
We’ve joined forces with Smithfield Foods to create Align RNG™. Together, we’re harnessing clean energy from hog farms across the U.S. Our first project is up and running in Utah and more are on the way.
We’ve teamed up with Vanguard Renewables to create clean energy from dairy farms across the U.S. Projects are underway in Georgia, Nevada and Colorado, with more planned nationwide.
Over the next 10 years, Dominion Energy’s renewable natural gas partnerships will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by the same amount as:
Cutting 3.5 Million Metric Tons of CO2e
Taking 750,000 Cars off the Road
Planting 60 Million New Trees
When organic material decomposes, it produces methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas. By keeping methane out of the atmosphere and turning it into clean energy, we’re helping to combat climate change. In fact, we capture more emissions from farms and food waste than are released when consumers use the gas. Better than zero-carbon, it’s actually carbon-beneficial! Here’s how it works:
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Capture
As manure, food waste and other organic material decomposes, it produces methane gas. Instead of allowing methane to enter the atmosphere, it's captured and turned into energy.
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Convert
The methane captured from farms, food waste and other sources is cleaned up to 99% pure methane, the same as traditional natural gas.
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Deliver
Renewable natural gas is then blended into the existing gas distribution system to serve homes, businesses, power plants and other natural gas consumers.
Everyone can play in a role in protecting the environment and combatting climate change. Our GreenThermSM program allows our Utah customers to voluntarily support the development of renewable natural gas projects. The program will soon be available in North Carolina, and with other states to follow.
"For people who worry about climate change, it's a clear win. Farmers also stand to earn more money, since they'll get a share of the methane sales."
“Environmentalists have long pushed for reductions in methane emissions to combat climate change. Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods announced they would do just that.”
“By harnessing methane from livestock manure in both projects, the company hopes to simultaneously heat homes and combat climate change.”
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