UGI Energy Services LLC, a subsidiary of King of Prussia, Pa.-headquartered UGI Corp., recently inked a deal to supply renewable natural gas (RNG) to the City of Philadelphia for its compressed natural gas-powered trash compactors.
“The city’s partnership with UGI Energy Services is an important step towards advancing our vision of a cleaner municipal fleet,” Liz Lankenau, director of the city’s Office of Sustainability, said Nov. 12. “Through our partnership, UGI Energy Services will prioritize capturing and reusing gas from local landfills to power our trash compactors, which supports the local market for fossil fuel alternatives like renewable natural gas.”
Under the agreement, the city will purchase clean biogas sourced from Pennsylvania and regional landfills, helping to both reduce landfill flaring and grow local RNG markets.
“We are pleased to partner with the city in this important program,” said UGI Energy Services President Joe Hartz. “We source biogas from a portfolio of landfill projects to ensure security of supply for our customers and prioritize production from Pennsylvania landfills for delivery to customers located throughout the commonwealth.”
The partnership marks the first time the city is utilizing RNG environmental attributes for its CNG fleet. The renewable fuel will power the 35 trash compactors that currently serve neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.
Additionally, the project creates new demand for methane produced by waste decomposition in landfills, reducing the amount of gas flared at participating facilities and allowing for RNG to be injected into the gas distribution system.
“By transitioning our city fleet to [RNG], we’re investing in smarter energy and a more sustainable future,” said Joseph Rosati, commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Fleet Services. “This initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a cleaner municipal fleet and responsible city leadership.”