Company receives praise for its First-in-the-Nation RNG Program
San Diego, California – Vermont Gas (VGS) today was selected by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) as a Green Power Leadership Award winner (GPLA) for its first-in-the-nation renewable natural gas program. The GPLAs were presented by the nonprofit CRS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the annual Renewable Energy Markets conference in San Diego, California this afternoon. CRS is a national organization that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. VGS is being honored with a Green Power Market Development Award, which honors industry leaders that are innovators and champions of renewable energy and whose actions are supporting the accelerated development of green power markets.
“We are excited to present VGS with a Green Power Leadership Award this year for their innovative new renewable natural gas program,” said Center for Resource Solutions Executive Director Jennifer Martin. “By offering an RNG option, VGS is giving its customers a way to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and help build a market for this important climate strategy.”
In 2018, after years of planning, VGS became the first natural gas utility in the United States to offer a retail RNG adder program. The effort was no easy task for a small, rural natural gas utility: It required support from regulators, producers and customers and a heavy dose of grit and ingenuity. Since no other program like it existed, VGS built the program from the bottom up, including the accounting, supply management, verifications and gas quality procedures to introduce this product to the marketplace. RNG is produced at landfills and food/farm digesters and presents a convenient option for customers to replace traditional natural gas with a clean, low carbon and renewable source.
“Our future is one where we help customers significantly reduce their carbon footprint through new renewable fuel sources, expanded energy efficiency, and a commitment to environmental leadership,” said Don Rendall, President and CEO of VGS. “VGS values are all about safety, customers, culture – and climate. For decades, VGS has been recognized for our commitment to reduce carbon and cost through our award winning efficiency services. Our RNG program is the next logical step in our work toward a cleaner energy future and meeting our state’s ambitious carbon reduction goals.”
For more information on the VGS Renewable Natural Gas Program, visit VermontGas.com.
About VGS
VGS is a leader in energy efficiency and innovation, offering a clean, safe, affordable choice for over 54,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties. The company plays an important role in Vermont’s clean energy future by displacing higher-emitting fuels, offering renewable natural gas service, and delivering award-winning energy efficiency programs. VGS is leading the country in the development of local renewable energy generation and has targeted a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming Net Zero by 2050. For more information about Vermont Gas visit www.vgsvt.com
Media Contact
Dylan Giambatista
(802) 391-6475
dgiambatista@vermontgas.com