State Regulators Push to Elevate RNG as Strategic Energy Resource

(BioCycle Magazine) A growing coalition of state utility regulators is seeking to formally recognize renewable natural gas (RNG) as a strategic energy resource, signaling a potential shift in how RNG is positioned within broader state and federal energy planning frameworks.

According to a press release, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss is leading a national effort through the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners to advance a resolution that would elevate RNG within utility and energy policy discussions. The initiative aims to encourage regulators to treat RNG not simply as a niche renewable fuel, but as a component of long term energy security, infrastructure modernization, and decarbonization strategies.

The effort reflects a broader conversation underway across the United States about the role of gas infrastructure in a lower carbon future. While electrification has dominated much of the climate policy debate, RNG advocates argue that existing pipeline systems represent a major asset that can be leveraged to reduce emissions without requiring full system replacement. By substituting fossil natural gas with biogas derived from anaerobic digestion facilities and landfill gas capture systems, utilities can potentially lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining grid reliability.

RNG markets have been a primary driver of new anaerobic digestion capacity, particularly in dairy manure. Recognition of RNG as a strategic energy resource could influence how state utility commissions evaluate pipeline investments, interconnection policies, cost recovery mechanisms, and long term procurement contracts.

The framing also has implications for food waste digestion. While dairy and landfill-based RNG have historically dominated production volumes, food waste anaerobic digestion projects continue to face financing and interconnection hurdles, according to the American Biogas Council. If regulators adopt a more formal strategic lens, it may open pathways for utilities to incorporate food waste-derived RNG into portfolio planning, particularly where methane reduction goals intersect with waste diversion mandates.

At the same time, the effort is likely to draw scrutiny. Critics of RNG expansion have questioned lifecycle accounting methodologies, methane leakage rates, and the risk of locking in gas infrastructure at a time when some jurisdictions are pursuing building electrification policies. Elevating RNG to “strategic” status may intensify debates over how renewable attributes are measured and valued, particularly across different feedstocks.

The reality is that state regulators play a central role in shaping energy markets. Their decisions influence infrastructure investment, ratepayer costs, and the viability of emerging technologies. For organics recyclers and anaerobic digestion developers, regulatory recognition can materially affect project bankability.

Zerfuss and her colleagues are seeking to build consensus across state commissions nationwide. Whether the effort translates into binding policy changes remains to be seen. But the push itself highlights a maturing RNG sector that is increasingly positioning itself not only as a waste management solution, but as part of the nation’s energy strategy. READ MORE

Excerpt from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission: Resolution underscores the multiple benefits of renewable gas

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss this week (week of February 9, 2026) sponsored and helped advance a national resolution recognizing renewable natural gas (RNG) as a strategic energy resource, as part of broader efforts to address growing energy demand, strengthen system reliability, support agriculture and economic development, and reduce emissions.

The resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) during its 2026 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. Commissioner Zerfuss serves on NARUC’s Committee on Gas and has been actively engaged in state and national discussions examining the role of RNG within a diversified energy portfolio.

As energy demand continues to increase across residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors, state utility regulators are evaluating a wide range of resources to maintain reliability and affordability while supporting innovation and environmental goals. The NARUC resolution recognizes RNG — produced from agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste streams — as one resource that can help meet these challenges by leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure, creating economic opportunities, and capturing methane emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

“Renewable natural gas represents an opportunity to think creatively and pragmatically about how we meet growing energy needs while supporting agriculture and economic development, and emissions reductions,” said Commissioner Zerfuss. “This resolution reflects an all-of-the-above approach that values reliability, affordability, and innovation. It also recognizes the important role that regulatory clarity can play in encouraging responsible investment and thoughtful integration of RNG into long-term planning and resource strategies.”

The resolution emphasizes the importance of clear and predictable regulatory frameworks to support RNG development, including consideration of cost recovery mechanisms, market-based procurement options, interconnection standards, and integration into utility planning and broader state energy strategies. It also highlights RNG’s potential to deliver ancillary benefits such as enhanced system resilience and cost-effective emissions reductions, while maintaining protections for utility customers.

Commissioner Zerfuss noted that state utility commissions are uniquely positioned to evaluate how emerging resources like RNG can be incorporated responsibly, balancing potential benefits with affordability and reliability considerations for consumers.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission continues to engage with fellow regulators, policymakers, utilities, and stakeholders at both the state and national levels to examine a wide range of energy solutions that support safe, reliable, and affordable utility service while responding to evolving energy and environmental challenges.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. READ MORE