Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Approves Interconnection Service for Renewal Natural Gas

St. Paul, Minnesota — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved CenterPoint Energy’s (CPE) proposal to allow renewable natural gas (RNG) producers to inject RNG into its system. This decision creates a process for renewable natural gas producers to connect to CPE’s system and the terms and conditions for this service, including proposed rates for interconnection.

“I’m excited about the opportunities that renewable natural gas will bring agricultural, industrial, waste management, and other industries to decarbonize while creating jobs,” said Commissioner Joseph Sullivan. “The decision today is an important win for both the Minnesota economy and our environment.”

The Commission defined RNG as a pipeline-compatible fuel that is derived from organic waste materials and may have lower lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions compared to geological natural gas. RNG comes from many sources including agricultural waste, food waste, landfills and wastewater treatment plants.

The Commission is also requiring CPE to analyze the lifecycle greenhouse gas emission emissions by RNG producers that interconnect. This information will be used to ensure that interconnected producers are consistent with the tariff, and to evaluate future RNG investment proposals in Minnesota.

CPE expects the RNG could transported to customers connected to its distribution system, or transported to an interstate pipeline for a buyer that is not connected to the distribution system. In the short term, CPE believes that the RNG added to the system will be used as vehicle fuel. CPE also stated that this project could drive investment and job creation to help Minnesota recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy; electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc.

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