Dairy Manure Proposed To Heat Orange County Households

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Southern California Gas Co. Thursday filed a proposal to serve millions of households with renewable natural gas derived from the methane from human waste and dairy farms. Are you up for that, Orange County? Here's what you can expect if the California Public Utilities Commission approves the plans. Southern California Gas Co. would offer renewable natural gas to its 21 million customers in central and Southern California.

Renewable natural gas is a fuel produced from waste and agriculture that can be used to heat homes and businesses, for cooking, and to fuel trucks and buses. Harnessing this fuel could reduce greenhouse gasses, such as methane, from escaping into the atmosphere. "By capturing this gas, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change," a spokesperson for SoCal Gas Co. said.

In addition to serving as fuel, it could help to reduce greenhouse emissions by capturing methane waste and converting it to clean energy. The fuel is carbon-neutral or carbon-negative, meaning that it can take more GHG emissions out of the air than it emits as an energy source, according to the utility.

Under the proposed program, millions of Californians would have the option to purchase a portion of their natural gas from renewable sources, just as many currently can opt to purchase renewable electricity, SoCalGas officials said.

The program is expected to create increased demand for renewable natural gas, which should help increase supply and lower its cost over time, similar to what has happened with renewable electricity created from wind and solar power, according to the utility.

"Renewable natural gas is an important component in California's efforts to reduce GHG emissions," said Sharon Tomkins, SoCalGas vice president of customer solutions and strategy. "Using renewable natural gas in homes and commercial buildings will cut greenhouse gas emissions just as much as mandating all-electric appliances, but 2 to 3 times more cost-effectively. This solution not only preserves consumer choice, it can achieve climate goals at a lower cost."

Would you consider purchasing this biomethane fuel, if offered? Tell us on Orange County Patch!

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.