What is Recycled Natural Gas?

Recycled natural gas is produced when the methane gas created by landfill waste material is converted into clean-burning natural gas that is added to the existing natural gas distribution system and delivered to consumers’ homes and businesses.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), landfills are the largest single human source of methane gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all methane sources. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Landfill methane gas is generated during the natural process of bacterial decomposition of organic material contained in municipal landfills. New technologies at landfills now make it possible to capture landfill gas and prepare it for consumer use.

What is landfill gas?

Landfill gas is naturally occurring methane that is produced as a result of the bacterial decomposition of organic material in municipal landfills. There are more than 1,800 municipal landfills in the United States that accept approximately 60 percent of all municipal solid waste. Landfills are the largest single human source of methane emissions in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all methane sources.

How is landfill gas produced?

Organic methane gas is generated during the natural process of bacterial decomposition of organic material contained in municipal landfills. Advances in landfill gas energy technologies have made it possible to capture and combust the landfill gas for the benefit of human health, safety, and the environment, as well as provide economic opportunities. Combustion of landfill methane gas is encouraged by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Where does the recycled gas that GNG provides come from?

The recycled natural gas obtained by GNG is from the Live Oak Landfill in DeKalb County, Georgia. Every landfill in the world produces some form of organic methane gas; however, the location and age of some landfills make it difficult for all of the gas to be captured and used for commercial combustion. The Live Oak Landfill is capable of producing enough natural gas to fuel approximately 15,000 homes and could produce recycled gas for about 15 years.

How does the landfill gas become recycled natural gas?

Thanks to new technology, methane gas at the Live Oak Landfill is collected and made ready for consumer use. It becomes recycled natural gas when it is injected into the existing distribution system for delivery to homes and businesses.

How is natural gas normally produced?

Natural gas is an abundant, naturally occurring gas, which is found deep beneath the earth’s surface, in large pockets that are located inside porous rock. It is called a fossil fuel because scientists believe it was created by the gradual decomposition of ancient organic fossil matter, such as plants and tiny sea animals. Layers of this organic matter built up over time until the pressure and heat from the earth “cooked” this mixture into natural gas. Natural gas is odorless and colorless and produces very few emissions. It is considered the cleanest fossil fuel because of its clean-burning qualities. Learn more at Comfortableresponsible.org

Why should consumers care about recycled natural gas?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), landfills are the largest single human source of methane gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all methane sources. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Landfill methane gas is generated during the natural process of bacterial decomposition of organic material contained in municipal landfills. New technologies have made it possible to collect landfill gas and make it ready for consumer use; the clean-burning natural gas becomes recycled natural gas when it is processed and injected into the distribution system for delivery to consumers. The result is a cleaner and safer environment.

Will all of my gas be recycled gas?

The recycled natural gas obtained by GNG is combined with traditional natural gas as it is pumped into distribution pipes for delivery to consumers who live in Georgia’s competitive natural gas market. Natural gas consumers will not notice any change in service.