The Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Coalition has announced the commissioning of North America’s 500th operational RNG facility, achieving the benchmark set for the end of 2025 under the Sustainable Methane Abatement & Recycling Timeline (SMART) initiative.
“Across our industry value chain, members should be proud of the positive impact our shared leadership, education, advocacy, innovation and sustainability continue to have on society, the economy and the environment,” said Johannes Escudero, Founder and CEO of the RNG Coalition.
“Together, we’ve achieved something many thought was out of reach. There’s still a great deal to do, but now is the time to celebrate and share the remarkable story of the RNG industry.”
Launched in 2019, the SMART initiative aims to capture and convert methane and carbon dioxide emissions from over 43,000 waste sites across North America by 2050, transforming them into renewable fuel, heat, power and other energy products.
These are being used across a wide range of sectors, including airports, hospitals, universities, and commercial transport - serving medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, maritime, rail, aviation and the food and drink industries.
Since the RNG Coalition was established in 2011, the number of operational facilities has increased from just 31 to more than 500 today.
A further 153 facilities are currently under construction, with an additional 293 in planning or permitting stages. The next SMART target is to reach 1,000 operational facilities by the end of 2030.
To maintain momentum and help shape the future of energy, the RNG Coalition is collaborating with regulated and voluntary markets, as well as federal and state agencies, to open new market pathways, improve incentive schemes and integrate RNG more broadly into long-term energy security frameworks.
RNG Coalition celebrates 500 operational RNG facilities across North America
