This initiative is a key step in meeting California's Senate Bill 1440 goals, which aim to reduce methane emissions and advance the state's broader environmental objectives.
In a significant move toward California's climate goals, Southwest Gas Corporation has submitted a procurement agreement to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to begin supplying renewable natural gas (RNG) to its customers. The filing represents a major step in fulfilling the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 1440, a state law that mandates gas utilities to procure biomethane to help reduce methane emissions, a potent short-lived climate pollutant.
The agreement, a result of a competitive procurement process, is a collaboration between Southwest Gas, Anew Climate LLC, and Anaergia, Inc.'s subsidiary SoCal Biomethane, LLC (SCB). If approved by the CPUC, the deal will see RNG produced at a facility at the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) in Victorville, California, injected into Southwest Gas's distribution system. The facility, which is owned and operated by Anaergia, uses an upgraded anaerobic digestion process to co-digest food waste and municipal wastewater solids, converting them into biogas. This biogas is then cleaned and upgraded to pipeline-quality natural gas.
According to the announcement, the project has the potential to reduce emissions from natural gas delivered to Southwest Gas’s California customers by up to 11,841 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which is comparable to the annual emissions from 2,762 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. This agreement also holds the distinction of being the first actively producing project to qualify under the SB 1440 Biomethane Procurement Program to deliver RNG within the state.
The initiative not only provides environmental benefits but also has a positive impact on the local community. The facility is capable of processing up to 65,000 gallons of slurried food waste daily, which diverts an estimated 104,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also creating economic benefits through local employment.
Both Southwest Gas and VVWRA have expressed their commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship. The VVWRA, for instance, has a STEM scholarship program and offers educational tours, aligning with Southwest Gas's dedication to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. Karen S. Haller, President and CEO of Southwest Gas Holdings, emphasized that delivering RNG from such innovative projects demonstrates the company's commitment to "environmental stewardship, long-term energy solutions, and making a positive impact in the communities we serve."
