October 4, 2021. Enbridge and Vanguard Renewables announced a partnership to design and build eight renewable natural gas (RNG) project sites across the United States, where organic waste will be transformed into carbon-neutral RNG.
“As a leader in energy transition, Enbridge has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is excited to partner with industry leaders such as Vanguard Renewables who are developing new sources of clean energy and helping companies reduce their emissions,” says Bill Yardley, Enbridge’s Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream (GTM). “This partnership is a great example of how we’re advancing low-carbon energies across our natural gas systems.”
Under the partnership, Vanguard, a leading developer of RNG infrastructure, will build and operate digesters used to convert food and farm waste into RNG, while Enbridge will invest in the RNG upgrading equipment that will turn RNG into pipeline-quality natural gas. Enbridge will also help transport and sell that natural gas to large multinational companies with aggressive decarbonization goals.
Some of these companies are part of Vanguard’s Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA)—including Starbucks, Unilever and the Dairy Farmers of America—who reduce their carbon footprint by providing their food and farm waste to Vanguard as RNG feedstock.
“We are proud to work with Enbridge to accelerate the development of transformational renewable energy projects on a nationwide scale and help combat climate change,” says John Hanselman, Founder and CEO of Vanguard Renewables. “This partnership and our deep relationships with leading food industry manufacturers and retailers through the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, will enable the seamless transmission of the RNG from our farm network to these ESG-conscious participants keen to use RNG to decarbonize their thermal energy needs.”
Enbridge expects to invest more than US$75 million, collectively, for upgrading equipment and pipeline infrastructure at these facilities.
The eight RNG production sites will be located near FPSA member processing facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.