Study from Southern Company Gas identifies cheapest internal ways to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
A new study released by Southern Company Gas after being conducted by consulting firm ICF identified ways for Southern’s four natural gas distribution companies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while using its existing infrastructure.
“This research shows that natural gas and our modern delivery infrastructure are foundational to achieving our net-zero goals,” Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company Gas, said. “The identified natural gas-focused pathways include a balanced approach addressing how our utility operations and gas supply practices can be leveraged to achieve important climate goals and that natural gas solutions provide a practical and realistic pathway that is affordable for our customers. With supportive regulations and policies, we can continue providing the clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy our 4.3 million customers depend on and deserve while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
According to the study, which undertook analyses of four separate pathways to the end emissions goal, incorporating natural gas efficiency technologies and renewable natural gas would provide the lowest cost and greatest greenhouse gas reductions for residential and commercial customers compared to a mandatory 100 percent electrification effort. It also established that utilizing existing natural gas networks with new and more energy-efficient technologies and RNG would allow energy costs to remain affordable along the way.
When totaled up, the study estimated that high-efficiency natural gas technologies could provide nearly 25 percent more greenhouse gas reductions for Southern’s customers at almost half the cost of the mandatory electrification option, based on direct and indirect equipment and energy expenses.
Any such effort would need to be taken in conjunction with the continued reduction of operational emissions. They would also expand on current efforts at Southern Company Gas, including infrastructure improvements, advanced leak detection and repair, integration of RNG, expanding alternative fuel use for vehicles, and enhanced measurement and reporting drives.
