The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning was formed in October 2023. Commissioner Fitz Johnson, of the Georgia Public Service Commission serves as chairman, while Commissioners Tammy Cordova, of the Nevada Public Utilities Commission and Kathryn Zerfuss, of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission serve as co vice-chairs. This task force was established to connect utility regulators with tools, expertise, and platforms to share information and develop their own refined visions for commission-led planning processes that will help them navigate the challenging energy landscape of the coming decades.
On August 28th, NGA was invited by the Task Force to participate in a NARUC Panel Discussion regarding RNG integration. The four member SME Panel included NGA, the American Biogas Council, Southern Company Gas, and the Roanoke Gas Company. Topics included RNG gas supply potential, RNG as a carbon reduction solution, economic considerations of RNG integration, leading case studies, and gas quality & interchangeability – facts & myths. NARUC members were fully engaged in all aspects of the discussions including consequences of GHG reductions utilizing existing gas pipeline infrastructure, state and federal legislative issues, rate-based risk, supply limitations and reliability.
NGA focused on the good science / common sense process of RNG integration considering a “what, why, how” approach to evaluating and managing practical aspects of gas quality and interchangeability. The Emerging Fuels Interconnect Guideline was shared with NARUC Task Force Members.