August 23, 2024. Peoples Gas System, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, celebrates one year of renewable natural gas (RNG) flowing from a facility north of Lake Okeechobee. The project is a collaboration between Peoples Gas, Brightmark RNG Holdings LLC, and Larson Family Farms. Brightmark RNG Holdings LLC is a joint venture between Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, and Brightmark Fund Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Brightmark LLC.
The facility’s four anaerobic digesters convert dairy manure from the cows on four Larson Family dairy farms in Okeechobee County, resulting in pipeline-quality natural gas that can be safely used by any natural gas appliance or other natural gas application. The facility produces enough RNG to serve about 8,350 Florida homes annually. Peoples Gas constructed two pipelines that connect the digesters to interstate transmission pipelines in order to distribute the sustainable gas throughout the state.
“The Larson RNG project reduces the net greenhouse gas emissions from processed dairy cow manure at a rate equivalent to planting 75,000 acres of forest each year,” said Helen Wesley, president and CEO of Peoples Gas. “This is a real and measurable way to support the state’s transition to cleaner, sustainable resources.”
RNG is produced from the organic waste of landfills, water treatment plants or agricultural sites. As the waste decomposes, biogas made up of mostly methane is produced. Through the RNG production process, the methane that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere is captured and cleaned. RNG can then be injected into Florida’s pipeline systems and used as a reliable and cost-effective energy source just like traditional natural gas, however RNG typically offers near zero or negative carbon emission levels.
“A diverse renewable energy mix will be a big part of how we fuel Florida’s clean energy future,” said Wesley. “We are committed to delivering sustainable solutions like RNG while reducing emissions on our own system and helping our customers and partners reduce theirs.”