SURREY,
BC, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ - With recent
approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission, as of
July 1, 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc.
(FortisBC) gas customers will have one per cent of their gas
automatically designated as Renewable Natural Gas1
(RNG). FortisBC is the first energy utility in North America to automatically designate RNG
for customers.
"It is clear that our province needs all available tools to
address climate change and support an affordable energy transition
towards lower emissions for residents, businesses and industry,"
said Doug Slater, vice-president of
Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs at FortisBC. "The gas
system is undergoing a transition as we work to increase the supply
of renewable and low-carbon gases, like RNG, to lower emissions and
this new RNG blend offering will help us do that."
For the average residential customer, there will be no cost
impact to their monthly bill. The one per cent RNG blend will be
incorporated in the storage and transport line item on their bill
and they will see a carbon tax credit (biomethane credit) for the
portion of their gas that is automatically designated as RNG. The
RNG blend will increase over time and customers could see a change
in their bills in the future.
Today, more than 13,000 B.C. homes
and businesses subscribe to RNG through FortisBC's current
voluntary RNG program. FortisBC will continue to offer the
voluntary RNG program so customers can choose to designate up to
100 per cent of the gas they use as RNG, inclusive of the new one
per cent blend.
"RNG allows our studio to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions," said Gemma Martini, CEO
of Martini Film Studios. "By subscribing to RNG, we can help to
lower overall emissions without requiring expensive upgrades to our
equipment while continuing to create world-class film and TV
productions."
"RNG is a key component of our climate action plan, as it helps
reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and supports our local
economy," said James Lota, general
manager of lands and facilities at City
of Burnaby. "The RNG blend we subscribe to in our facilities
and vehicles is pivotal to our transition to 100 per cent renewable
energy, especially for applications that are hard to decarbonize
with other solutions."
The gas system plays a vital role in safely, reliably and
affordably meeting the energy needs of British Columbians.
Increasing the amount of RNG in the gas system is an important part
of the provincial government's CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 to
decarbonize the economy. FortisBC will continue to develop its
renewable and low-carbon gas2 options, like RNG, so
that it can contribute towards meeting B.C.'s climate goals,
maintain affordability and provide choice for families and
businesses.
For more information on the RNG blend, visit
fortisbc.com/rngblend.
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1 Renewable
Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a
different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from
biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from
landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment
facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When
RNG is added to North America's natural gas system, it mixes with
conventional natural gas. This means we're unable to direct RNG to
a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system,
the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the
use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas
emissions.
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2 FortisBC
uses the term renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to
the low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under
the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are:
Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen,
synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC's renewable
and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable
Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over
time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing
levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases
are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of
conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of
RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of
energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and
low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary
combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.'s carbon
intensity threshold for low-carbon gases of 36.4
gCO2e/MJ set out in the 2021 B.C. Hydrogen
Strategy.
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About FortisBC Energy Inc.
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on
providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas,
Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs
around 2,096 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,075,595
customers across British Columbia.
FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates approximately 51,200
kilometres of gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC
Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North
American regulated electric and gas utility industry. FortisBC
Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from
Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC, visit
www.fortisbc.com. For further information on Fortis Inc., visit
www.fortisinc.com.
SOURCE FortisBC