Nicor Gas celebrates its first renewable natural gas interconnection

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Nicor Gas has inaugurated its first renewable natural gas (RNG) interconnection with Air Liquide's facility in Rockford, Illinois, marking a significant milestone in the state's clean energy future. The facility, which began operations on June 12, 2024, is Air Liquide's largest RNG plant globally and converts biogas from the adjacent Winnebago Landfill into usable energy.

The plant is expected to produce approximately 1.3 million MMBtu of RNG annually, equivalent to supplying 12,000 homes. This interconnection was established under Nicor Gas' Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot Program, approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2021.

The facility captures biogas from organic waste decomposition at the landfill, which would otherwise be flared into the atmosphere, and purifies it into pipeline-quality gas. Nicor Gas will receive and retire 13,900 MMBtu annually of environmental attributes from this project, contributing to its operational greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

The interconnection with Air Liquide's largest RNG plant in the world marks a milestone in the clean energy future

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicor Gas celebrated the opening of its first renewable natural gas (RNG) interconnection with Air Liquide's largest RNG facility in the world. The plant converts biogas from a nearby landfill into energy through the utility's first-ever RNG interconnection. To mark this historic moment in Illinois's clean energy future, the companies hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by company leaders, local and national elected officials and community partners.

RNG interconnection marks a milestone for Nicor Gas, Southern Company Gas on the path to a sustainable energy future.

"This interconnection is a significant step forward for Nicor Gas and Southern Company Gas on the path to a sustainable energy future for Illinois and facilitating economy-wide carbon reductions while fueling resiliency, energy security and the growth of the clean energy economy," said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas.

The interconnection was established under Nicor Gas' Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot Program approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2021. This is the utility's first-ever interconnection of a biogas upgrading plant to the Nicor Gas delivery system, which went live June 12, 2024.

Located in Rockford, Illinois, Air Liquide's state-of-the-art plant uses biogas from the adjacent Winnebago Landfill operated by Waste Connections, Inc. to create RNG. The plant is projected to produce approximately 1.3 million Metric Million British thermal units (MMBtu) per year, which is the estimated equivalent to replacing natural gas with RNG in 12,000 homes annually.

RNG is a low-carbon intensity fuel produced from biogas that is derived from organic waste sources such as household waste in landfills, wastewater treatment processes and agriculture. As organic waste decomposes, it produces biogas – a mixture of primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing it to be flared into the atmosphere, Air Liquide's Winnebago facility captures it at the landfill and purifies it into a pipeline-quality gas that is interchangeable with geologic natural gas. In some cases, RNG is one of the only energy sources that can have a negative carbon intensity on a lifecycle basis, depending on the feedstock.

Nicor Gas' pipeline infrastructure is a vital component in enabling reduced emissions for those entities who are purchasing and/or retiring the environmental attributes and delivering energy to end users, as well as encouraging RNG development. The company will receive and retire 13,900 MMbtu annually of environmental attributes associated with this project, contributing directly to Nicor Gas' reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from its operations.

To learn more about Nicor Gas's commitment to a clean energy future, visit https://www.nicorgas.com/sustainability.

About Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

About Southern Company Gas 

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities.

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SOURCE Nicor Gas

FAQ

How much renewable natural gas will Air Liquide's Rockford facility produce for Nicor Gas (SO)?

The facility is projected to produce approximately 1.3 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas per year, equivalent to supplying RNG to 12,000 homes annually.

When did Nicor Gas's first RNG interconnection become operational?

The RNG interconnection went live on June 12, 2024, marking Nicor Gas's first-ever interconnection of a biogas upgrading plant to its delivery system.

What environmental benefits will the Nicor Gas (SO) RNG interconnection provide?

The interconnection prevents biogas from being flared into the atmosphere and Nicor Gas will retire 13,900 MMBtu annually of environmental attributes, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

How does the Nicor Gas RNG facility in Rockford convert waste to energy?

The facility captures biogas from decomposing organic waste at the Winnebago Landfill and purifies it into pipeline-quality gas that is interchangeable with geologic natural gas.

What regulatory approval enabled Nicor Gas's RNG interconnection project?

The interconnection was established under Nicor Gas' Renewable Gas Interconnection Pilot Program, which was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2021.