Renewable natural gas project proposed for Prince George

Apr 18, 2019 | 4:32 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) announced approval in principle for an agreement where FortisBC will purchase landfill gas from the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill to purify and inject the gas into its natural gas distribution system as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). 

When bacteria breaks down organic waste from sources such as landfill sites, biogas (mostly made of methane) is produced. FortisBC works with local farmers and municipalities to capture and purify this biogas, which would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. The sustainable energy source blends with conventional natural gas in FortisBC’s distribution system, lowering the overall carbon intensity of the natural gas being delivered. 

“The demand for RNG is significant. We welcome the opportunity to bring on new supply as we pursue our target of having 15 per cent of our gas supply be renewable by 2030,” Vice-president of External Relations and Market Development Douglas Stout says. “If approved, this project will be the first northern Renewable Natural Gas project for FortisBC and will support the development of a locally produced, carbon-neutral energy source in B.C.”

The Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill currently generates enough landfill gas to produce approximately 70,000 to 100,000 gigajoules (GJs) of RNG annually- enough to heat up to 1,100 homes on 100 per cent RNG. The estimated annual GHG emissions savings would be approximately 3,500 to 5,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) or the equivalent of taking up to 1,200 cars off the road.