Southern Company Gas expands clean energy portfolio with new renewable natural gas agreements for its Virginia and Tennessee subsidiaries

Core Viewpoint - Southern Company Gas subsidiaries, Virginia Natural Gas and Chattanooga Gas, have made renewable natural gas (RNG) purchases that are expected to avoid 18,978 metric tons of CO₂e emissions, equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 19,036 acres of U.S. forests in one year [1] Group 1: Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Overview - RNG is produced from naturally occurring methane from landfills, agricultural waste, wastewater, and food waste, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane before it enters the atmosphere [2] - RNG is compatible with existing natural gas infrastructure and appliances, facilitating a transition to a more sustainable energy source [2] Group 2: Company Initiatives and Goals - Southern Company Gas aims to deliver cleaner fuels as part of its commitment to sustainability, with a goal of achieving net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 2050 [3] - The recent RNG purchases are part of a broader initiative to support emission reduction efforts and follow the company's first RNG purchases in 2023 [3] Group 3: Legislative Support - The RNG deal is supported by policies in Virginia and Tennessee, including Virginia's Energy Innovation Act and Sustainable Gas Program, which encourage RNG production and delivery [4] - Tennessee's Natural Gas Innovation Act allows natural gas utilities to pursue cleaner energy options and reflect innovative natural gas costs in their pricing [4] Group 4: Future Projects - Virginia Natural Gas has announced a collaboration with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District to create a facility that will convert biogas from organic waste into RNG [4]