January 23, 2023. After a very thorough regulatory review process, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved Roanoke Gas Company’s application to construct, own and operate a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility. The facility is the result of a cooperative agreement with the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) to produce commercial quality RNG from biogas produced at the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant located in Roanoke, Virginia.
In quoting the Hearing Examiner’s report, the Commission stated that: “Roanoke Gas’s project has the potential to achieve a rare combination of increasing local fuel supply, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing a utility’s profit while also lowering customer rates.”
Tommy Oliver, Sr. Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs commented, “We are pleased to be the first gas utility in Virginia to receive Commission approval of a renewable natural gas project. Our project partner, the Western Virginia Water Authority, has made great strides with their digester rehabilitation and project construction is on schedule. We plan to start commissioning the renewable natural gas facility in the next 4 to 6 weeks.”
The RNG facility is being constructed simultaneously with the rehabilitation of the WVWA’s digesters. In total, the combined projects represent an approximately $16.5 million investment in Roanoke, Virginia.
Roanoke Gas’ investment in the RNG facility, with recovery of the costs from its customers, represents the first investment in a RNG facility under the Virginia Energy Innovation Act, which became law July 1, 2022.