March 24, 2008—Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and BioEnergy Solutions recently announced that their biogas-to-pipeline injection project in Fresno County has begun production of renewable natural gas derived from cow manure. PG&E says it is the first project in California that will deliver pipeline-quality, renewable natural gas to a utility.
Under a long-term contract approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), BioEnergy Solutions will deliver up to three billion cubic feet of renewable natural gas a year to PG&E. A BioEnergy Solutions system reduces emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide, by 70 percent on a 5,000-cow dairy, says PG&E.
PG&E expects to have 14 percent of its energy from renewable sources that qualify under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program in 2008. On average, more than 50 percent of the energy PG&E delivers comes from carbon-free sources, and the utility now has contracts to provide 20 percent of its future energy supply from renewable sources. Qualifying renewable sources in PG&E’s portfolio include solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and small hydroelectric.
