Southwest gas to Procure Renewable Natural Gas from Anaergia Facility, Supporting California Climate Goals
Southwest Gas has entered into an agreement with Anew Climate LLC and Anaergia, Inc.’s subsidiary SoCal Biomethane, LLC (SCB) to procure renewable natural gas (RNG). The agreement stemmed from a competitive procurement process initiated by Southwest Gas and, if approved, will help the utility meet requirements outlined in the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Senate Bill (SB) 1440 Biomethane Procurement Program, designed to reduce methane emissions.
The RNG will be produced at the SCB facility located at the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA), which serves Victorville, Apple Valley, and Hesperia. Anaergia owns and operates the upgraded anaerobic digestion facility, which co-digests food waste and municipal wastewater solids to generate biogas, afterward cleaned and upgraded to pipeline-quality natural gas.
This procurement agreement has the potential to reduce emissions associated with natural gas delivered to Southwest Gas’ California customers by up to 11,841 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) annually – comparable to removing the emissions from 2,762 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year. Notably, this represents a first-time prospect for an actively producing project to qualify under the SB 1440 program and deliver RNG within California.
The facility is capable of processing up to 65,000 gallons of slurried food waste daily, diverting approximately 104,000 tons of organic waste from landfills each year. Beyond emissions reduction, the project is expected to create both part-time and full-time employment opportunities within the local community.
VVWRA actively engages with the community through educational programs, facility tours, and a STEM scholarship program, highlighting the project’s broader environmental and educational benefits. Southwest Gas and VVWRA share a commitment to supporting local communities alongside the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
“Southwest Gas is dedicated to providing safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy,” stated Karen S. Haller, President and CEO of Southwest Gas Holdings. “This project exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and delivering long-term energy solutions.”
Further information about Southwest Gas’ RNG projects can be found at www.swgas.com/rng.