Renewable Natural Gas

Renewable Thermal Certificates


Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTCs) are your immediate solution for addressing natural gas emissions.
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Anaerobic digester

Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTCs) allow you to directly and immediately address natural gas emissions

There has been a growing demand for an accessible tool for mitigating emissions from using natural gas. Enter RTCs. 

RTCs also called Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Certificates or Green Gas Certificates in Europe, offer a fossil-free alternative for powering your business. Matching RTCs to natural gas consumption can reduce or address natural gas emissions under many compliance and voluntary standards. 

Learn how your company can help lead the RNG movement.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is methane generated from:

  • Decomposition of wet organic waste. Anaerobic digesters at food processing plants, livestock facilities, and wastewater treament plants.
  • Gas collection systems and landfills
What is Renewable Natural Gas?

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is cleaned or “upgraded” biogas that has been injected into the national pipeline system. RNG is a cliamte-friendly alternative to fossil/geologic natural gas.

Synonyms: Biomethane, high BTU biogas.

What are Renewable Thermal Certificates?

Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTCs) are the environmental attributes associated with RNG.

Synonyms: Thermal RECs, Green Gas Certificates, Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO), RNG Certificates.

Renewable Natural Gas

Though Greenhouse Gas Protocol has yet to finalize guidance on RTC usage, leading voluntary standards such as The Climate Registry and RE100, allow entities that purchase RTCs the ability to claim the environmental benefit of substituting RNG for conventional natural gas.

Climate Group and RE100 logos

Renewable Thermal Certificates benefits

Provides a claim to consuming renewable natural gas and the associated emissions profile under programs run by the California Air Resources Board, Environmental Protection Agency, The Climate Registry, RE100, and others.

Streamlines attribute purchase without changing the current natural gas supply, through RTCs and one nationwide interconnected pipeline network

Allows the ability to access lucrative Clean Fuel Standards credits when gas is used as transportation fuel

Reduces the carbon intensity of the national fuel mix and displaces fossil gas

How we help

3Degrees conducts the following activities to empower confident RTC purchases:

  • Complete RNG project due diligence
  • Ensure proper contractual attestations
  • Register RTCs on emerging tracking systems
  • Prepare for compliance with forthcoming standards
  • Provide guidance on appropriate claims
image of cows on green pastures
Renewable Natural Gas

RNG around the world

No matter where your operations are based, 3Degrees can assist with your RTC procurement needs.

The 3Degrees difference

Customized solutions

We work with our clients to understand their requirements and craft customized RNG solutions that effectively balance cost, technology, geographical considerations, and co-benefit preferences.

Thorough project due diligence

We conduct due diligence on each facility that generates the RTCs we sell. Working directly with each facility, we analyze the carbon intensity, ensure injection into the pipeline network, and review facility history  to ensure environmental integrity.

Strategic partner

Our team has deep expertise in market insight, analysis, and regulatory affairs, enabling us to assist customers in navigating the ever-changing landscape of RNG and RTCs. We provide guidance for making credible environmental claims, ensuring transparency and reliability.

Program expertise

We have extensive experience building successful utility & voluntary corporate RNG programs. Learn more about our Utility RNG Program Services.

Expertise by the numbers

3Degrees is your expert navigator of the complex and evolving RNG landscape.

Purchase RTCs
4M+

MMbtus sold through short-and long-term sales to corporate and utility customers

50+

Methane capture projects from which 3Degrees has managed, verified, and issued credits

5

Active in all North American RNG transportation markets

RNG projects

Explore a sample of our full library of projects.

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RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

The first of its scale, Jessup Bioenergy Center’s anaerobic digestion project is making pipeline-quality RNG using organic waste.

Explore this project
Image of worker Sioux City project
RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

This Iowa-based anaerobic digestor facility is converting municipal wastewater into pipeline-quality RNG.

Explore this project

Suggested insights

View more
Ariel image of farm
Article

Learn more about important renewable natural gas (RNG) considerations, like whether you have a budget that can sustain the price of RNG.

Read the article
Infographic

Learn how these two markets differ when it comes to what's called Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in the US and Biomethane in Europe.

Download the infographic
Dairy digester
Article

Discover how Gas Purchase Agreements (GPAs) offer companies a holistic approach to RNG procurement with significant emissions reduction potential.

Read the article

Get in touch

Learn how 3Degrees can support your organization at any stage of your sustainability journey.