Photo: Contributed Kristy Dyer, whose column Sustainability Spotlight usually appears in this spot every second week, is on an extended leave. Her column is expected to return in the spring. This is the first of a two-part series about renewable natural gas by our new climate action columnists Janet Parkins and Eli Pivnick. The second part wil appear Jan. 7. According to FortisBC, renewable natural gas is a low-carbon energy that can help B.C. reach its climate action goals and provides an option for its customers to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. But what is it really? The name “renewable natural gas” is a marketing term coined in North America to describe methane gas produced from biological waste. Outside North America, it is more accurately known as “biomethane”. RNG is methane gas, chemically identical to fossil natural gas, sourced from decaying organic material. Nearly all available RNG is created in landfills, sewage treatment plants and livestock manure ponds on large industrial farms. When animal waste and trash decay in the absence of oxygen, the microbes that break them down produce gases that contain methane. The methane can be captured, purified and pumped into a pipeline. In the pipeline, RNG is indistinguishable from its fossil fuel counterpart. Burning RNG produces the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) as fossil gas. It’s only considered a “carbon-neutral” fuel because its source materials are already considered to be “in” the atmosphere. FortisBC's goal is to have 75% of the gas in its system be renewable, or low-carbon, by 2050. That could prove to be unrealistic. Natural Resources Canada found nationally sourced RNG can only supply 3.3% of our natural gas needs. To meet its target, FortisBC plans to purchase about 70% of its RNG from the Eastern U.S., Alberta and Ontario by 2030, in the form of credit-like “environmental attributes” for RNG made in other places. The process is renewable gas is created and used by a gas utility, which sells that gas to its customers as fossil gas. FortisBC sells an equivalent amount of fossil gas, using the purchased carbon neutral “attribute” from the renewable gas produced elsewhere to brand its fossil gas as “renewable.” This is a confusing process, currently has no independent agency or system oversight to ensure FortisBC and other gas utilities aren’t double counting the carbon neutrality of RNG at both the source and use locations. FortisBC’s proposed largest future RNG suppliers use uncommon production practices. One is injecting high-pressure steam at extremely hot temperatures (above 8,000 C) into waste, producing a mix of gases called “syngas” or synthesis gas, which is then processed again with heat to produce pure methane for RNG. Energy is lost at each step of the process. Another method is similar in the use of high-steam and high-heat, but uses waste wood, losing about half the initial wood energy in the process. That technology is untested at a commercial scale and research on non-RNG wood biomass plants in B.C. has found evidence companies sometimes use whole, previously live trees rather than wood waste. FortisBC lists two Ontario cities among its largest future RNG suppliers—Greater Napanee and Hamilton. As of March 2024, Greater Napanee was not aware of the proposed project, and no permit applications had been submitted. The Hamilton project was to begin producing renewable natural gas in 2023, but in 2019 Hamilton city councillors unanimously rejected the proposal and later signed a contract with another company to collect its waste until 2028. Beyond its existing contracts, FortisBC’s prospects of buying cheap, plentiful RNG from elsewhere appear slim because FortisBC must compete with utilities in Quebec, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts and Washington state that have pitched RNG to their customers as a way to decarbonize. RNG is methane produced from biological sources and so it is, in theory, renewable. Compared to fossil methane (natural gas) it is very limited in supply and will never be able to provide more than a very small portion of our needs. Janet Parkins is a member of Frack-Free BC and Climate Action Now! North Okanagan. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title
BREAKING: B.C. NDP and B.C. Greens sign 'stable governance' agreement( MENAFN - The Rio Times) In a bold move to address energy concerns, Russia has announced a six-year ban on Cryptocurrency mining across ten regions, starting January 1, 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in the country's approach to digital currencies. It highlights the growing tension between technological innovation and resource management. The ban will affect key areas including Dagestan, Chechnya, and the recently annexed territories of Donetsk and Lugansk. Additionally, seasonal restrictions will be imposed in Siberian regions like Irkutsk, known for its cheap electricity and large mining operations. These measures aim to prevent power shortages during peak consumption periods, particularly in winter months. This crackdown comes on the heels of new legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin in late 2024, which legalized and regulated crypto mining activities. The law requires miners to register with the Federal Tax Service and report their earnings, bringing the industry under closer government scrutiny. The ban's impact extends beyond individual miners to include mining pools, potentially reshaping Russia's position in the global crypto market . As of early 2022, Russia ranked among the top five countries in Bitcoin hash rate. It contributed significantly to the network's overall computing power. While the government frames these restrictions as necessary for energy stability, critics argue they may hinder economic growth and individual freedom. The debate underscores the challenge of balancing technological progress with resource management in the digital age. As Russia navigates this complex landscape, its actions may set a precedent for other nations grappling with similar issues. In short, the outcome of this policy shift will likely influence the future of cryptocurrency mining and energy policy worldwide. MENAFN25122024007421016031ID1109030123 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
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