THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES

The document examines the production and use of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a climate strategy in the United States, focusing on its potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when derived from organic waste. It identifies that RNG is most effective when produced from waste rather than dedicated land and when it results in net methane emissions reductions. The paper highlights promising feedstocks such as food and yard waste diverted from landfills and livestock manure. While RNG production costs are higher than conventional natural gas, the report notes that economic viability is supported by low-carbon fuel standards and federal incentives. However, it warns that RNG can increase net methane emissions if it comprises 'new methane'—methane that would not have otherwise entered the atmosphere—due to supply chain leakage. The authors call for more data on methane leakage and life-cycle carbon intensities to better integrate RNG into long-term climate plans.

• RNG can be an effective greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy if it meets two specific conditions: it must be produced from waste rather than dedicated land use, and its production and use must result in net methane emissions reductions.
• The most promising RNG projects for achieving net GHG reductions include those using food and yard waste diverted from landfills and livestock manure from farms where methane is not currently controlled.
• RNG production in the U.S. grew significantly from 1.4 million ethanol-equivalent gallons in 2011 to nearly 190 million in 2016, largely driven by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and state low-carbon fuel standards.
• RNG can lead to a net increase in methane emissions if it consists of 'new methane'—methane that would not have otherwise entered the atmosphere—because leaks and venting during production and distribution can outweigh the climate benefits.
• Methane leakage rates across the RNG supply chain vary, with estimates for production and processing ranging from 2% to 10%, and further leaks occurring during transmission, distribution, and vehicle use.
• RNG production from wet wastes is generally more expensive than conventional natural gas, with estimated costs ranging from $3 to $30/MMBtu, whereas conventional natural gas averaged about $3.50/MMBtu since 2010.
• Despite high production costs, RNG projects can be economically viable with payback periods ranging from immediate to approximately 10 years, supported by RINs under the Renewable Fuel Standard and state-level low-carbon fuel credits.
• California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) identifies RNG from dairy manure and food and green waste as having the lowest carbon intensity values of any low-carbon fuel under the policy, with some values being negative.
• There is a significant untapped resource of wet feedstocks in the U.S., with an estimated 50 million dry tons of food waste, animal manure, wastewater sludge, and fats, oils, and greases (FOG) available annually.

APA

GASPER, R., & SEARCHINGER, T. (2018). THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES. World Resources Institute. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/production-use-renewable-natural-gas-climate-strategy-united-states.pdf

Chicago

GASPER, REBECCA, and TIM SEARCHINGER. THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES. World Resources Institute, 2018. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/production-use-renewable-natural-gas-climate-strategy-united-states.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=GASPER |first1=REBECCA |last2=SEARCHINGER |first2=TIM |title=THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=April 2018 |url=https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/production-use-renewable-natural-gas-climate-strategy-united-states.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gasper2018production, author = {GASPER, REBECCA and SEARCHINGER, TIM}, title = {{THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2018}, month = apr, url = {https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/production-use-renewable-natural-gas-climate-strategy-united-states.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }