Northwest Gas Association Supports Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Signing Renewable Natural Gas Bill into Law

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning, Governor Jay Inslee officially signed into law a bill that will encourage the increased production of renewable natural gas (RNG) as an energy source for Washington State. HB 2580 passed the Legislature just hours before the end of legislative session on March 8^th. Nearly unanimous legislative backing for the bill signals strong interest in and support for further development and adoption of this renewable energy resource.

"The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) thanks Governor Inslee for seeking this important measure, and Rep. Jeff Morris for being its champion through the legislative process," said NWGA Executive Director, Dan Kirschner. "NWGA members look forward to supplying this clean, green energy resource to consumers across the Northwest via the region's safe and reliable natural gas delivery system."

As organic material decomposes, it produces "biogas" that is mostly methane (the primary component of natural gas) but includes other constituents. Sources of biogas include agricultural and human waste like dairy manure, sewage and organic garbage. RNG, or 'bio-methane,' is produced by collecting biogas and treating it until it meets the same quality standards as the natural gas commonly used for heating homes and cooking.

Biogas is currently collected at landfills, waste water treatment plants and some agricultural operations, where it is either burned to generate electricity or simply flared. HB 2580 will encourage RNG expansion through tax incentives and a suite of other tools including an inventory of potential RNG supply and associated costs; voluntary gas quality standards for injecting RNG into the natural gas system, and additional policy recommendations to promote RNG development.

"What could be better than turning waste into useful energy?" asked Kirschner. "It reminds me of the Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor in the movie Back to the Future," he continued. "Thanks to the foresight of Governor Inslee and the Legislature, the future is now as we incorporate this innovative and renewable resource into Washington's energy portfolio.

CONTACT: Northwest Gas Association
Connor Reiten, (503) 344-6637, [email protected] 
1914 Willamette Falls Drive, Suite 255 West

SOURCE Northwest Gas Association