NAPERVILLE, Ill., July 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Nicor Gas' Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot
received approval July 8 from the
Illinois Commerce Commission. The pilot aims to encourage the
development of renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities
within Nicor Gas' service territory, and allows the company to
determine how RNG can be efficiently integrated into its natural
gas distribution system as a safe, reliable and clean energy source
for customers.
"Nicor Gas is committed to helping our communities thrive and to
bettering our environment. This program seeks to do that by
bringing sustainable, clean RNG to the marketplace, while creating
clean energy jobs and new revenue streams for Illinois businesses," said John O. Hudson III, president and CEO of Nicor
Gas. "We look forward to working with RNG producers and consumers
during the pilot program while helping our state lead in the
progress toward a clean energy future."
As a part of the pilot, Nicor Gas will enable the
interconnection of new RNG facilities, which create a pathway for
lower carbon fuels to be available to customers by displacing
traditional, geologic natural gas. With an investment capped at
$16 million, the pilot marks the
first time an Illinois gas utility
has a tariff that allows its distribution system to
interconnect renewable fuel production systems, creating
a sustainable and clean energy solution for Illinois.
RNG is a sustainable and reliable non-fossil fuel
produced from sources such as food and animal waste, wastewater
plants and landfill gas. As these organic waste sources
decompose, methane is produced. RNG projects, like those eligible
to enroll in Nicor Gas' Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot,
capture the methane and convert it into RNG that is an
interchangeable substitute for geologic natural gas. Converting
waste to clean RNG and integrating it into Nicor Gas' distribution
system reduces greenhouse gas emissions while creating new jobs and
business opportunities in the community.
According to an Illinois
economic impact study by EcoEngineers, just one RNG project could
create up to 229 part-time jobs during construction, 46 full-time
jobs during operations and $478
million in total economic output over the 20-year project
life.
For more information about RNG and Nicor Gas, please
visit nicorgas.com/rng. RNG suppliers interested in the
Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot can contact
renewablegas@southernco.com for more information.
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of
Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company
(NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a
service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of
Illinois, excluding the city of
Chicago. For more information,
visit nicorgas.com.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO),
America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves
approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its
regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately
666,000 retail customers. Other nonutility businesses include
investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural
gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas
storage facilities. For more information, visit
southerncompanygas.com.
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SOURCE Nicor Gas