Southwest Gas Corporation has filed a procurement agreement with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to supply renewable natural gas (RNG) to its customers, marking a key step towards the state’s climate targets.
The agreement, developed in partnership with Anew Climate LLC and Anaergia Inc.’s subsidiary SoCal Biomethane (SCB), follows a competitive procurement process and, if approved, will help fulfil the requirements of Senate Bill 1440.
The programme obliges gas utilities to source biomethane as part of California’s strategy to curb methane emissions from short-lived climate pollutants.
Under the deal, RNG produced at SCB’s upgraded anaerobic digestion facility at the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) will be refined to pipeline-quality gas and delivered into Southwest Gas’ network.
The site, which serves Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia, co-digests food waste and municipal wastewater solids to generate biogas.
The project could cut emissions from Southwest Gas’ California operations by up to 11,841 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually – the same as taking more than 2,700 petrol-powered cars off the road for a year.
It also marks the first actively producing project to qualify under the SB 1440 Biomethane Procurement Programme.
“The successful agreement demonstrates how local infrastructure can support both community needs and climate goals,” said Ryan Childress, managing director of Low Carbon Fuels at Anew Climate.
The facility is capable of processing 65,000 gallons of slurried food waste each day, diverting around 104,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill annually.
Alongside its environmental benefits, the project provides local employment and supports education through outreach programmes, site tours and STEM scholarships.
Karen S. Haller, president and chief executive of Southwest Gas Holdings, said: “Delivering RNG from innovative projects like this one reflects our commitment to safe, affordable, and sustainable energy while making a positive impact in the communities we serve.”
Southwest Gas advances RNG plans in California
