Renewable natural gas, or biogas, comprises methane that is produced and released naturally from the decomposition of organic materials found in places like swamps, manure bins and landfills, among others. Once purified and upgraded, renewable natural gas can be distributed using the existing gas pipeline system, and used in the same way as the traditional gas we rely upon to heat water, cook food and warm our homes and businesses.
When burned for energy, biogas has the same low-carbon properties as natural gas, but with an added unique benefit. When captured for conversion into renewable natural gas, methane that would otherwise have entered directly into the atmosphere is combusted resulting in the release of a much less-harmful greenhouse gas. In other words, the heat-trapping (or greenhouse) effect resulting from burned methane is less potent than that resulting from directly-released methane, so capturing these gases for biogas production is a positive step toward climate change mitigation.