Renewable Gas: The Future of Clean Energy

The debate surrounding climate change remains polarized. Disagreements persist not only about its causes and the extent of its impact, but even its very existence beyond natural climate cycles. Both sides of the argument often rely on conveniently selected facts to support their scientifically backed views. Yet, amongst all the contention, there is one area of near-universal agreement: the need for clean, reliable energy.

Renewable energy is frequently hailed as the most promising solution, but even the “renewable” label is subject to debate. And many so-called renewable technologies come with their own negative environmental impacts. Solar arrays, for instance, degrade over time into toxic waste, occupy large areas of land that could otherwise support agriculture, and rely on rare minerals extracted through destructive mining operations. Wind turbines face similar criticisms: they have limited operational lifespans, require large amounts of oil to operate, produce toxic waste upon decommissioning, pose risks to bird populations, and generate low-frequency vibrations that have been linked to adverse health effects in both humans and marine life.

Meanwhile, conventional fuels like natural gas and propane are often summarily dismissed in clean energy discussions primarily because their combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO₂). The prevailing premise is that extracting these fossil fuels from underground reservoirs contributes additional carbon to the atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse effect. This view has become so entrenched that merely mentioning these fuels as viable solutions can provoke strong emotional reactions, which is unfortunate because these fuels can be utilized to produce thermal and electrical energy for more efficiently than any alternative.

However, this narrative overlooks an important distinction: not all gas is fossil gas. Renewable propane and renewable natural gas (RNG)—also known as biogas—are chemically identical to fossil gas but is derived from organic waste that is already part of the active carbon cycle. Every organic compound, whether plant or animal-based, eventually decomposes into methane (CH₄). Whether it’s a tree falling in the forest, manure breaking down in a field, or food waste rotting in a landfill, methane is inevitably produced. Capturing that methane before it escapes into the atmosphere and converting it into RNG or RLPG doesn’t add carbon to the environment—it recycles it.

Cows don’t create methane that wouldn’t otherwise have been created by the grain and grasses they consume. That methane is part of a natural, continuous cycle that has existed since life began. By capturing it, refining it, and using it to generate energy, we close the carbon loop—replacing fossil fuel emissions with a regenerative, circular alternative.

By leveraging sources like wastewater treatment plants, landfills, agricultural residues, and dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass, we can produce an endless, consistent, and renewable supply of methane without disturbing natural carbon sinks. Unlike solar or wind installations, which require large land footprints and can disrupt ecosystems, renewable gas can be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructure. Croplands can be used year after year to grow feedstocks for RNG without competing with food supply or displacing wildlife.

Even more compelling is the opportunity to pair renewable gas with cogeneration—a mature and highly efficient technology that simultaneously produces heat and electricity from a single fuel source. When fueled by renewable natural gas or propane, cogeneration systems can reach efficiencies exceeding 80%, dramatically outperforming conventional power generation. And because renewable gas is carbon-neutral, this process yields reliable, dispatchable energy without increasing atmospheric CO₂.

Thus, renewable natural gas offers a clean, scalable, and truly sustainable energy option. When paired with cogeneration, it delivers unparalleled efficiency, environmental responsibility, and energy security. It’s not just a theoretical solution—it’s a practical, immediate path to a cleaner energy future. And it’s already here.