What we're doing
We believe NW Natural has an important role to play in helping our region move to a low-carbon, renewable-energy future. That's why we've developed a voluntary carbon savings goal: 30% by 2035. To achieve our goal, we will look for reductions throughout the natural gas value chain, from producers in the Rocky Mountains to our own operations and customer use, to the transportation sector.
Our goal is focused on collective action to:
- Lower the carbon intensity of the product we deliver using a mix of technologies and renewable energy sources.
- Pursue energy efficiency and offset projects.
- Replace dirtier fuels with clean-burning natural gas or renewable natural gas.
- Keep it affordable by using our existing system — one of the most modern in the U.S. — in new, innovative ways.
Big picture: We will continue to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy today as we evolve to an even cleaner tomorrow. We invite you to join us. Together we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, while creating an even better tomorrow.
Greenhouse gas emissions
in Oregon
On the coldest winter days, NW Natural provides 90% of energy needs for our residential space and water heating customers. Yet our customers’ gas use accounts for 6% of Oregon greenhouse gas emissions. [1]/*Oregon DEQ In-Boundary GHG Inventory 2015 data.*/
We’re working to reduce that number even more.
NW Natural and its customers leading the way
NW Natural's modern system
NW Natural's modern system
NW Natural was one of the first utilities to replace all older pipes, making our system among the most modern in the U.S. An Environmental Defense Fund study led by Washington State University found that methane emissions on our system were 90% lower than EPA assumptions. This analysis shows that less than one-tenth of one percent of the gas that flows through our pipes doesn’t end up getting used by our customers, making our system one of the tightest in the nation.
Driving down emissions
Driving down emissions
While we work to add renewable natural gas to our system, NW Natural is also aggressively pursuing other emission reduction solutions:
- Replacing older pipes and equipment has resulted in an incredibly tight and efficient system that limits greenhouse gas emissions.
- NW Natural purchases natural gas from Canada and the Rocky Mountain regions—two of the most stringently regulated (i.e., minimal methane leaks) production areas in North America.
- We have developed an emissions screening tool that uses EPA data to prioritize purchases from the lowest emitting producers.
- NW Natural is a founding member of the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge, designed for utilities to share emission-reducing best practices in pipeline construction, maintenance and repair.
- We are also a member of ONE Future, working to promote science-based technology and best practices for dramatically lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Conserving
Conserving
Using efficient equipment
Using efficient equipment
Offsetting
Offsetting
Our Smart Energy program offers customers a voluntary opportunity to offset some or all of the carbon from their natural gas use by funding biogas projects on local farms. The program’s mantra, “Use Less, Offset the Rest,” makes clear that along with aggressive efficiency, offsets are a valuable tool to address remaining emissions.
Renewable natural gas future
Renewable natural gas future
Replacing more and more of our natural gas supply with renewable natural gas in our existing pipeline infrastructure, combined with energy efficiency and wide adoption of our carbon-offset program, will yield the fastest and most affordable results for our communities and the planet.
New study: Pacific Northwest Pathways to Decarbonization
Oregon and Washington have set goals for steep greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as part of an economy-wide effort to combat climate change.
These kinds of goals are referred to as “deep decarbonization” and mean an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 from a 1990 emissions baseline – even after factoring in population growth. Is this possible? And if so, how?
A new report, Pacific Northwest Pathways to 2050, by Energy and Environmental Economics (E3), shows how the natural gas system can help the region get there.