Legislation soon to be introduced in the state Senate would amend the existing Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program to create a new definition of low carbon fuels including renewable natural gas (RNG).
It also would set target amounts of low carbon fuel sold.
RNG is safe to use in all the same applications as natural gas. Argonne National Labs concluded that RNG provides an 85 percent reduction in GHG relative to displaced diesel fuel on a lifecycle basis, according to a report from Stifel Equity.
“By promoting the beneficial reuse of existing animal manure, wastewater sludge, garbage, and food waste and generating renewable natural gas we are helping our farmers, wastewater treatment facilities, landfill operators and others create a business stream and protect the environment at the same time,” state Sen. Gene Yaw (R- Bradford County), who plans to introduce the bill with Sen. Scott Martin (R- Lancaster County), said. “Estimates suggest that existing Pennsylvania sources could produce 229 Bcf (billion cubic feet) of RNG annually. This existing organic material will greatly benefit the environment in our communities.”
The transportation sector accounts for 24 percent of total GHG emissions in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.