Renewable Natural Gas
Learn how Renewable Natural Gas works, compare participation options, estimate costs, explore environmental benefits, and enroll in the VGS Renewable Natural Gas program.
A practical option for customers seeking lower-carbon energy.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) captures methane from organic waste sources and converts it into usable energy that can be delivered through the same natural gas system customers rely on every day. Because RNG works within existing natural gas infrastructure, customers can participate without changing equipment or how they use natural gas in their homes or businesses.
As the energy landscape continues to evolve, a range of approaches are being used to address emissions from organic waste. RNG is one option that can help reduce emissions while continuing to provide the reliability and convenience customers expect from natural gas service.
Why Participate?
Customers participate for many reasons:
- Support renewable energy production
- Help encourage the growth of RNG projects
- Support Vermont-produced renewable gas options
- Participate without replacing existing equipment
- Continue using the same natural gas service and appliances
Participation Options
Vermont Gas offers customers two options for purchasing the renewable attributes associated with Renewable Natural Gas. Choose the renewable natural gas option that best aligns with your goals, budget, and interest in supporting local renewable energy projects.
Blended RNG
Supports RNG produced from all eligible RNG sources participating in the VGS program. This option provides access to a broader supply of RNG at a lower cost per 100 cubic feet (CCF).
Locally Sourced RNG
Supports Vermont-produced RNG by purchasing renewable attributes from local projects, including participating farm-based facilities such as Goodrich Farm in Addison County.
RNG Tariffs
RNG renewable attributes are offered through approved VGS tariffs. The RNG Adder Tariff allows customers to purchase RNG attributes as a percentage of their natural gas usage, while the S-RNG Adder Tariff allows customers to purchase RNG attributes on a per-CCF basis. Additional details are available through the VGS tariff documents.
Explore RNG Costs
RNG is blended into the overall VGS natural gas supply, so customers do not need to install special equipment or modify existing natural gas appliances to participate. Current pricing for participation options is shown below.
| RNG Option | Price per 100 cubic feet (CCF) |
|---|---|
| Blended RNG | $1.7817 |
| Locally Sourced RNG | $1.9641 |
Current pricing is established through approved RNG tariffs and may change over time. Review current tariff documents for complete information.
RNG Calculators
Use our calculators to estimate participation options based on your energy usage and budget.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re interested in supporting local Vermont RNG production or participating through the broader VGS Renewable Natural Gas portfolio, the program offers flexible options designed to fit a variety of energy goals and budgets. Use the calculators above to estimate costs, then enroll in the option that works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Find answers to common questions about Renewable Natural Gas, including participation options, pricing, environmental benefits, program guidelines, and account management.
VGS Renewable Natural Gas program is an innovative offering that will allow Vermont Gas customers to purchase the renewable attributes of renewable natural gas (RNG) production. These renewable attributes correspond with the production of RNG by anaerobic digestion of organic matter at landfills, waste treatment plants, industrial sites, and farm digesters that has been injected into the natural gas pipeline system.
Customers can participate in the program by signing up to purchase renewable attributes of RNG for a percentage of their natural gas usage (ex. 10%, 25%, 50% or 100%) or a specific quantity of their natural gas usage (number of ccf), choosing either Blended RNG or Locally Sourced RNG. Participating customers will be charged an “RNG Adder” corresponding to the chosen percentage or quantity and Blended or Locally Sourced option on their monthly bills.
Use our interactive VGS Renewable Natural Gas Calculators to determine what level works best for your budget and efficiency goals and whether Blended RNG or Locally Sourced RNG is right for you.
That will depend on whether you choose Blended RNG or Locally Sourced RNG. Prices will change each quarter with our approved rate changes. Use our interactive VGS Renewable Natural Gas Calculators to view our rates and determine what level works best for your budget and energy goals.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) available through VGS comes from a combination of Vermont-based and out-of-state projects. Some RNG is produced at participating dairy farms in Vermont, while additional supply comes from eligible projects that capture methane from organic waste sources such as agricultural operations, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, and industrial sites. All RNG participating in the VGS program must meet established quality and eligibility standards before entering the natural gas system.
An average customer household enrolling in the VGS Renewable Natural Gas program at the 100% level will reduce the corresponding carbon footprint associated with the customer’s direct use of natural gas. For a typical Vermont Gas residential customer using 900 ccf of conventional natural gas each year this equates to up to 4.9 metric tons of avoided carbon dioxide emission each year.
Customers who participate in the VGS Renewable Natural Gas program can choose to modify or suspend their monthly adder purchase at any time by filling out this form.
Product Content Label
By participating in the VGS Renewable Natural Gas program you are purchasing the renewable attributes associated with the production of renewable natural gas (“RNG”), which may also be referred to as biogas or bio-methane. A unit of VGS Renewable Natural Gas, measured in hundred cubic feet (CCF) represents the environmental attribute of 1 CCF of biogas. Vermont Gas reserves the right to purchase carbon offsets if RNG supply is not available, Vermont Gas will notify customers if this occurs.
Program Guidelines
RNG purchased by Vermont Gas will be from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter at landfills, waste treatment plants, industrial sites and farm digesters. Vermont Gas will purchase the renewable attributes associated with the RNG.
Vermont Gas will retire the corresponding amount of RNG environmental attribute inventory equal to the amount of RNG purchased by the customer. Upon request, Vermont Gas will provide documentation to the customer.
VGS Renewable Natural Gas Adder will appear on customers’ monthly bill as an additional line item, all other bill components will continue to apply.
Customers participating in the VGS Renewable Natural Gas program are subject to Vermont Gas’ Terms and Conditions outlined in VGS’ tariffs and Vermont Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) rules.
VGS tariffs can be found at https://www.vermontgas.com/about/regulatory/tariffs/
VGS Renewable Natural Gas customers will be notified of RNG Adder rate changes in advance the effective date of the change unless otherwise ordered by the PUC. The RNG Adder will change whenever the PUC authorizes a change in the Natural Gas Charge portion of the tariff. Currently this occurs quarterly.
The RNG Adder will apply, at the percentage selected by the customer, to the usage shown on the monthly bill, regardless of enrollment or termination date. The RNG Adder will not be pro-rated for partial-month usage.
Customers served under a VGS tariff for firm service can subscribe to the RNG Program with no term commitment and can cancel or modify with three days’ notice. The termination or modification will be effective with the next regularly scheduled bill.