In the United States (US), Nicor Gas’ Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot received approval July 8, 2021, from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The pilot aims to encourage the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities within Nicor Gas’ service territory and allows the company to determine how RNG can be efficiently integrated into its natural gas distribution system as a safe, reliable, and clean energy source for customers.
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta, Georgia (GA) based Southern Company. Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois (IL), excluding the city of Chicago.
Nicor Gas is committed to helping our communities thrive and to bettering our environment. This program seeks to do that by bringing sustainable, clean RNG to the marketplace while creating clean energy jobs and new revenue streams for Illinois businesses. We look forward to working with RNG producers and consumers during the pilot program while helping our state lead in the progress toward a clean energy future, said John O. Hudson III, President, and CEO of Nicor Gas.
As a part of the pilot, Nicor Gas will enable the interconnection of new RNG facilities, which create a pathway for lower carbon fuels to be available to customers by displacing traditional, geologic natural gas.
With an investment capped at US$16 million, the pilot marks the first time an Illinois gas utility has a tariff that allows its distribution system to interconnect renewable fuel production systems, creating a sustainable and clean energy solution for Illinois.
Converting waste to clean RNG and integrating it into Nicor Gas’ distribution system reduces greenhouse gas emissions while creating new jobs and business opportunities in the community.
According to an Illinois economic impact study by EcoEngineers, just one RNG project could create up to 229 part-time jobs during construction, 46 full-time jobs during operations, and US$478 million in total economic output over the 20-year project life.
