Jun 14 2010
Terasen Gas has sent an application for a novel renewable energy program to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). On the approval of this program, customers can sign up for 10% of their consumption of natural gas to be supplied to the network of Terasen Gas from the biogas projects of Terasen Gas.
Terasen Gas has applied for implementing two projects which will upgrade the quality of raw biogas called as biomethane. This will be added to the distribution system of Terasen Gas. A decision for this program is expected from the BCUC by the close of this summer. The novel program is likely to commence this fall.
If and when approved, the program is expected to benefit residential customers. Terasen Gas forecasts that within the first year, the overall greenhouse gas savings is likely to be approximately 13,000 tonnes, the equivalent of removing 2,000 cars from the road annually. And by 2012, the greenhouse gas savings is expected to reach around 34,000 tonnes annually. The usage of biogas can efficiently and safely decrease emissions resulting from waste decomposition. Steam utility Central Heat has sent a letter of intent to Terasen Gas for purchasing biomethane.
The application of Terasen Gas to the BCUC comprises contracts with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) and Catalyst Power Inc. for collecting biogas from a landfill site and agricultural waste, respectively. The BC Bioenergy Network has awarded a grant of $200,000 to Terasen Gas to assist leverage the investment of Terasen Gas in the biogas system located at the CSRD facility.