Piedmont Natural Gas seeks to help North Carolina customers offset their carbon footprint through new green energy program

Rhea-AI Summary

Piedmont Natural Gas has proposed a new green energy program aimed at helping North Carolina residential and small business customers reduce their carbon footprints. The program, pending approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission, will allow customers to purchase 'green' blocks for $3 each per month, with four blocks offsetting the average household's carbon footprint. This initiative aligns with Piedmont's commitment to achieve net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and supports renewable natural gas projects. If approved, the program is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

Positive

• Launch of a green energy program aimed at reducing customer carbon footprints.
• Affordability of the program at $3 per green block.
• Alignment with a corporate commitment to achieve net-zero methane emissions by 2030.
• Potential to enhance customer satisfaction and engagement in sustainability.

Negative

• Pending approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission could delay program launch.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina residential and small business customers of Piedmont Natural Gas may soon have the opportunity to participate in a new carbon footprint-reducing, green energy program to offset their personal natural gas usage. Piedmont announced today it has filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission a request to implement this green program.

Under the program, Piedmont customers will have the option to purchase "green" blocks for just $3 each per month, which will be added to their monthly bill. These blocks are comprised of the favorable environmental qualities of renewable natural gas (RNG) and carbon offsets. There will be no limit to the number of blocks that can be purchased, although four blocks, for a total of $12, should offset the average household's carbon footprint.

RNG is methane that has been captured from the breakdown of organic waste and processed to remove contaminants and meet natural gas pipeline quality standards. Carbon offsets include forestry, land conservation or other nature-based offsets that are beneficial to the environment.

"Our residential customers have voiced an interest in ways to manage their carbon footprint," said Sasha Weintraub, senior vice president, natural gas business, at Piedmont Natural Gas. "Our larger customers have more tools to meet many of their sustainability goals, and we would like to offer our residential and small business customers the same opportunity."

The green program was designed from specific customer feedback to provide that choice.

Weintraub added, "This flexible, affordable option puts our customers in control of reducing their personal natural gas footprint. It also allows them to participate in our own carbon-reduction commitment as our business moves toward net-zero methane emissions from our natural gas delivery system by 2030."

In addition to its 2030 net-zero methane reduction target, the company has invested in SustainRNG, a developer of renewable natural gas projects in the agriculture sector. Piedmont is sourcing renewable natural gas for its compressed natural gas stations, with a pilot project already underway in Tennessee. The company also joined ONE Future, a nationwide coalition of natural gas companies working to voluntarily reduce methane emissions in the entire natural gas supply chain.

"Offering customers the ability to participate in the green program enables them to partner with us in moving toward an even cleaner energy future," Weintraub said.

If approved by the NCUC, blocks would be available for customers to purchase through the green program no later than the first quarter of 2022.

Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, is an energy services company whose principal business is the distribution of natural gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The company also supplies natural gas to power plants. Piedmont is routinely recognized by J.D. Power for excellent customer satisfaction, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S. 

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.      

Media contact: Jason Wheatley                                                             
Phone: 877.348.3612
Email: jason.wheatley@duke-energy.com

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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas

FAQ

What is the new program by Piedmont Natural Gas?

Piedmont Natural Gas has proposed a green energy program allowing customers to purchase 'green' blocks to offset their carbon footprints.

How much does the green program cost per month for customers?

Customers can purchase 'green' blocks for $3 each per month.

When will the new green energy program be available?

If approved, the program will be available no later than the first quarter of 2022.

What are the benefits of participating in the Piedmont Natural Gas green program?

Participants can offset their carbon footprints and contribute to Piedmont's net-zero methane emissions target by 2030.

What is the target for net-zero methane emissions by Piedmont Natural Gas?

Piedmont Natural Gas aims to achieve net-zero methane emissions by 2030.