Natural Gas from Garbage Means Green
When gas companies began touting “recycled natural gas,” I had no idea what they were talking about and wasn’t sure why it mattered.
Well, turns out we should care because it’s environmentally sustainable and could save consumers money down the road.
That may be all you need to know. However, if you’re curious, here’s how it works:
Recycled natural gas is about the source; they’re not actually recycling natural gas. Recycled natural gas is being created by capturing and utilizing the methane gas that is naturally produced in landfills. They’re “recycling” the forgotten products in the landfill by using them again, albeit in a totally new form.
While it’s not the perfect solution to our energy needs, it shows great initiative and forward thinking. For example, Georgia Natural Gas estimates it can produce enough recycled natural gas through one landfill to service 15,000 homes for 15 years. When you consider that the EPA has identified at least 1000 landfills as good candidates for Landfill Gas energy projects, recycled natural gas starts to look like a reliable, and renewable, resource.
Indeed, a study by the EPA revealed landfills to be the second largest producer of methane gas in the country. And, yes, it’s true: cows and other livestock are number one.
