Gas Utility Programs
Create customer and utility benefits with a voluntary program
Pressure to decarbonize our energy supply is mounting as the climate crisis intensifies. As a result, many gas utilities are exploring the best way to integrate renewable natural gas (RNG) – purchased as renewable thermal certificates (RTCs) – and carbon credits into their solution set as part of a voluntary program.
Voluntary programs are the best next step for most natural gas utilities as they address three major challenges:
- Demonstrate action in response to stakeholder pressure to decarbonize
- Respond to customer demand to address carbon emissions
- Enable the utility to show progress in the near term, in a way that doesn’t complicate future decarbonization efforts
How we help
3Degrees’ deep experience helps utilities design, build, and grow voluntary programs faster, at a lower cost, and bearing less risk compared to relying on an in-house team. For natural gas utilities who are new to voluntary programs, it can be difficult to go it alone. Working with 3Degrees empowers utilities to implement best practices, identify and avoid risks up front, and maximize value for the utility and its customers.
Our gas utility program services
From consulting sessions to full implementation, we offer services based on our deep expertise to help gas utilities meet both their environmental and customer satisfaction goals with a voluntary program. Our range of services include:
- Program design
- Regulatory filing support
- Carbon credit and RTC supply recommendations and procurement
- Marketing strategy and implementation
- Market assessment and customer segmentation
- Program demand and financial forecasts
We decided we really wanted to leverage the expertise of 3Degrees rather than trying to create something like this from scratch on our own. Our internal team learned a ton. The learning we took away from that as a company was hugely impactful and set us up for future successes.”
What is renewable natural gas?
Renewable natural gas is cleaned or “upgraded” biogas produced primarily at landfills, wastewater treatment plants, or anaerobic digesters processing livestock manure or food waste. RNG is a climate-friendly alternative to fossil/geologic natural gas.
What are carbon credits?
A carbon credit is created when one metric ton of a greenhouse gas (GHG) is avoided, reduced, or removed. Carbon credits are also known as carbon offsets or verified emissions reductions (VERs). In order to be used as a legitimate carbon mitigation tool, carbon credits must adhere to specific criteria.
What are renewable thermal certificates?
Renewable Thermal Certificates or RTCs are the environmental attributes associated with renewable natural gas that is injected into the common carrier pipeline network. RTCs are used to purchase renewable natural gas through the pipeline network, similar to how Renewable Electricity Certificates are used to purchase renewable energy through the electricity grid. RTCs are also called RNG Certificates, Thermal RECs, Green Gas Certificates and a variety of other names.
RTCs are used in a number of voluntary and compliance frameworks to substantiate claims of consuming renewable natural gas from a common carrier pipeline. As a relatively new commodity compared to electricity-derived energy attribute certificates, reporting requirements are still under development for some corporate sustainability initiatives.
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Demonstrate climate action today with voluntary customer programs
