Renewable Natural Gas Interconnection and Injection
MGE’s Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Injection pilot helps facilitate the growth of renewable energy markets by enabling customers who produce RNG to interconnect directly with and inject RNG into MGE’s distribution system. Customers may contract with MGE or third parties to sell the gas and/or its environmental attributes.
What is RNG?
Unlike pipeline natural gas that is extracted from deep underground deposits, RNG is a processed biogas derived from organic waste material, such as food waste, yard and crop waste, and animal waste. It also can be produced from degradable carbon sources, such as paper, cardboard and wood. RNG is processed and purified so that it can be safely and effectively used interchangeably with fossil-fuel-derived pipeline natural gas.
The RNG process
What are the benefits of RNG?
Financial incentives: Customers who produce RNG benefit from the sale of the RNG and the environmental attributes it generates.
Green energy 24/7: RNG combines the environmental benefits of renewable energy with the reliability of natural gas. RNG helps to lower methane emissions. When methane is burned—instead of being released directly—it is converted into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a less potent greenhouse gas than methane.
Carbon-neutral: RNG can be carbon-neutral, or even carbon-negative, because it comes from the natural breakdown of organic sources instead of from fossil fuels.
- Multiple uses: RNG can be used for heating, cooking, fueling vehicles and generating electricity, among other uses.
Interested in purchasing RNG? Learn about MGE's Green Power Tomorrow (GPT) RNG program. It's an easy way to offset your greenhouse gas emissions from your use of natural gas.
Interconnecting with MGE
MGE is committed to working with customers to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of their RNG projects and to assist them throughout the project lifecycle. A primary determinant of feasibility is how close the project is to a pipeline with adequate pressure, capacity and demand.
Interested in finding out if MGE's RNG Injection pilot is a fit for your business?
First, complete our RNG Injection inquiry form. Then, MGE’s RNG project team will reach out to discuss a formal Application for Study.
If a project is technically and economically feasible, you and MGE may proceed to an interconnect agreement. You may also elect to enter into agreements with MGE for the sale of the gas commodity and/or renewable attributes associated with the injected RNG.
Ready to get started?
Complete the inquiry form to help determine if your project is a good fit for MGE's RNG Injection pilot.
Inquiry form
Frequently Asked Questions
RNG producers can sell the gas they produce as well as the renewable attributes associated with the RNG, such as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) or Renewable Thermal Certificates (RTCs).
New or existing MGE commercial or industrial customers whose RNG projects meet the program's technical and economic feasibility requirements.
The RNG Injection pilot program is currently limited to five customers. MGE may explore expanding the program to more customers in the future.
The customer must pay for, own and maintain all equipment necessary for the delivery of RNG at the point of interconnection, including, but not limited to:
- Gas processing equipment
- Metering
- Electric power
- Telecommunications
- Piping and instrumentation
- Physical facilities
MGE will install gas quality check equipment and piping in rights-of-way. MGE’s Gas Rules and Regulations: Service Laterals and Extensions will be used to determine the customer’s main allowance.
The customer pays for, owns, operates and maintains the RNG production project itself.
All RNG injected into MGE’s distribution system must meet strict testing and quality standards to ensure safety, reliability and interchangeability of the RNG with typical natural gas on MGE’s system.
MGE charges volumetric fees for distribution and odorization and daily fees for system connection and customer service, quality monitoring, maintenance and electronic meter reading.
More information about the pilot, including specific gas quality requirements and rates, can be found in Schedule G-52 of the MGE tariff book. You may also email MGE's RNG team at Business@mge.com.
Targeting emissions from MGE's natural gas distribution system
Building upon our long-standing commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy, MGE has set a goal to achieve net-zero methane emissions from our natural gas distribution system by 2035. Learn about our strategies.
