Newly released data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows a record amount of renewable natural gas (RNG) was produced and used in the transportation sector in 2020.  More than 500 million gallons of RNG were created in the United States, an increase of nearly 100 million gallons over 2019.

Here in California, the transportation sector is responsible for about 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and more than 80 percent of the state’s NOx, or smog-forming, emissions. Heavy-duty trucks with the latest natural gas engines can cut smog-forming emissions by more than 90 percent compared to the cleanest heavy-duty diesel trucks on the road today. When these ultra-low emission natural gas trucks are fueled by RNG, GHG emissions are reduced by at least 80 percent. SoCalGas currently operates 15 public RNG fueling stations across its service territory.

RNG is made from organic waste from dairies, landfills and with the passage of AB 3163 last year, RNG can now be sourced from dead trees, agricultural waste and vegetation removed for wildfire mitigation.  It is the only renewable energy source that can be carbon negative.

Biogas Magazine has more on the record production of RNG and its benefits.