New Oregon Law Allows Using Waste as Renewable Energy

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recently signed a new law that would allow natural gas distributors to use renewable natural gas from solid waste in existing systems.

The law, which takes effect on September 29, allows utilities to now capture and treat methane from wastewater and use it as an energy source despite it being a higher-cost resource. The Register-Guard reports that Oregon public utilities are required to deliver service as cheaply as possible, which has been a longtime barrier for using renewable natural gas.

The report also notes that the law sets voluntary renewable natural gas goals for Oregon’s utilities of 15 percent by 2030, 20 percent by 2035 and 30 percent by 2050.

The Register-Guard has more:

The next source of clean fuel for Oregon homes may be the food you eat — or at least what’s left of it once you’ve digested it.

Lane County will start building facilities next year to capture and treat methane from wastewater, turning it into a renewable natural gas product. A new state law allows utilities now to use it as an energy source despite it being a higher-cost resource.

The law, which Gov. Kate Brown signed at the end of July and is effective Sept. 29, clears the way for natural gas distributors to use renewable natural gas in existing systems. Oregon public utilities are required to deliver service as cheaply as possible, a longtime barrier for using renewable natural gas.

Read the full story here.