#United States #Atlanta #Southern Company #Chattanooga Gas #Virginia Natural Gas

Southern Company Gas Expands Renewable Energy Footprint

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Southern Company Gas has announced the completion of new renewable natural gas (RNG) purchases through its subsidiaries, Virginia Natural Gas and Chattanooga Gas. This initiative significantly augments the utilities' clean energy portfolios and is an essential step toward reducing carbon emissions in both Virginia and Tennessee.

The recent acquisitions are estimated to avoid approximately 18,978 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions. This reduction is comparable to the carbon sequestered by an impressive 19,036 acres of U.S. forests within a single year. The significance of these numbers cannot be understated, as they represent a tangible commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.

What is Renewable Natural Gas?

RNG is a sustainable fuel derived from the naturally occurring methane produced during the decomposition of organic materials in landfills, agriculture, and wastewater facilities. By capturing this methane before it escapes into the atmosphere, RNG plays a crucial role in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, this type of gas is fully compatible with existing natural gas infrastructure, making the shift to cleaner energy sources seamless for consumers.

“We're leveraging our advanced infrastructure to deliver cleaner fuels, which reflects our commitment to providing sustainable solutions for our customers and communities,” said Bryan Batson, Executive Vice President of Southern Company Gas. He emphasized that these recent transactions exemplify the company's commitment to reducing emissions and aligning with its goal of achieving net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Impact of Policy Support

The execution of these renewable natural gas purchases has been facilitated largely due to favorable legislative frameworks in both Virginia and Tennessee. The Virginia Energy Innovation Act and the Sustainable Gas Program actively support the production and delivery of RNG. Concurrently, the Tennessee Natural Gas Innovation Act empowers natural gas utilities to explore cleaner energy alternatives while permitting the recovery of some innovative costs incurred through gas purchases.

Adding to its green initiatives, Virginia Natural Gas recently unveiled a collaboration with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District. This project aims to enhance the renewable energy landscape by transforming biogas generated from organic waste at the Atlantic Treatment Plant into RNG, further contributing to the region's sustainable energy goals.

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers across four states, including Virginia and Tennessee. The company not only focuses on retail natural gas sales and transportation but also places a significant emphasis on sustainability initiatives. For Southern Company, going green is not just a business option; it is an integral part of its operational philosophy.

Virginia Natural Gas is recognized as a leading energy provider, serving over 314,000 customers and recently being designated as a Top Workplace for 2024. Meanwhile, Chattanooga Gas offers its services to around 72,000 customers across southeast Tennessee, further showcasing the company’s footprint in the natural gas market.

For more information about Southern Company Gas and its sustainability efforts, please visit southerncompanygas.com/sustainability.