In the race toward net zero, utilities are continuing to make bold moves
It’s an ongoing story: Natural gas utilities are continuing to unveil comprehensive plans and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically in the short term and get to net zero within the next few decades.
South Jersey Industries recently announced its Clean Energy and Sustainability Plan, after forming a team tasked with figuring out how to achieve operational carbon neutrality by the year 2040.
In its new plan, SJI has set benchmarks to achieve a 70% carbon reduction of operational emissions and consumption by the year 2030, and 100% reduction by 2040. SJI is also committing at least 25% of its annual capital expenditures to sustainability projects, including replacement of aging transmission pipes, the addition of enhanced monitoring technologies, and conversion of service vehicles to low-carbon-density fuels such as compressed natural gas. The utility is also significantly expanding its energy efficiency programs and investing in new technologies such as renewable natural gas, green hydrogen and high-efficiency fuel cells.
Pennsylvania-based UGI Corporation has announced plans to spend more than $1 billion on renewable gas investments over the next five years.
The company is investing in key areas such as CNG, RNG, biogas and hydrogen, while maintaining its commitment to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable service to its customers. As an example, this past spring, Cayuga RNG, a joint venture owned by a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, announced plans to develop a dairy farm digester to produce RNG in upstate New York.
“UGI’s natural gas businesses are uniquely positioned to invest significantly in RNG over the next five years,” Robert F. Beard, executive vice president, natural gas, UGI Corporation, told American Gas. “We will leverage our existing infrastructure, experience constructing natural gas assets, marketing expertise and direct connection to 740,000 customers to offer our customers low-carbon, safe and reliable RNG.”
Meanwhile, as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability and corporate responsibility, Unitil Corporation announced in a June news release plans to reduce companywide direct greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings, vehicles and pipelines by at least 50% from 2019 levels by 2030, and to net zero emissions by 2050.
In addition to protecting the environment, the company said it anticipates lowering costs and enhancing operating efficiency.
“As a regional leader in energy delivery, we have a responsibility to reduce emissions from our own operations consistent with our nation’s climate goals, and those of the Paris climate agreement,” Thomas P. Meissner Jr., Unitil’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement.