Starting July 1, 2024, all FortisBC gas customers will have one per cent of their gas automatically designated as Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG), known as RNG blend—a first for any energy utility company in North America.
1: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America’s natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we’re unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions.
2 FortisBC uses the term renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to the low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC’s renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s carbon intensity threshold for low-carbon gases of 36.4 gCO2e/MJ set out in the 2021 B.C. Hydrogen Strategy.
Sarah Nelson, director of customer service, has to share about the RNG blend and what it means for you.
Why is FortisBC implementing an RNG blend?
Renewable and low-carbon gases,2 like RNG, are expected to play a key role in FortisBC’s ongoing efforts to reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while leveraging our existing gas system. With the introduction of the RNG blend, all customers can play a role in helping to reduce GHG emissions in B.C.
When RNG is added to North America’s gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. While we are unable to direct RNG to a specific customer, the more RNG added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall GHG emissions.
Will receiving the RNG blend cost me more?
Customers will not experience any cost impacts on July 1, 2024; however, this may change over time. The designated RNG blend percentage will increase over time and customers could see a change in their bills in the future.
Can I continue to opt in for the voluntary RNG program?
Yes. We will continue to offer the voluntary RNG program so you can choose to designate five, 10, 25, 50 or 100 per cent of your gas use as RNG, inclusive of the one per cent. For example, a voluntary RNG customer who has opted for 10 per cent RNG will now be designated with nine per cent under the voluntary program plus one per cent from the new RNG blend.
Can I opt out of the RNG blend?
No. To maximize the reduction of GHG emissions, full customer involvement is
required. The RNG blend adds to our ongoing efforts to reduce overall GHG emissions as we transition away from delivering conventional natural gas to delivering renewable and low-carbon gases. Our vision is to have 75 per cent of the gas in our system be either renewable or low carbon by 2050.
Source: FortisBC
Saturday, April 18, 2026
