Shoshana Blank: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2020
The Future of Renewable Natural Gas in Massachusetts
In this thesis Shoshana examined both the technical potential for renewable natural gas in Massachusetts and different regulatory approaches pursued in other New England states. The combination of detailed quantitative analysis with carefully designed case studies of policy development and implementation provides decision makers with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with introducing biogas as climate mitigation strategy.
Abstract
The Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act directs the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly by 2050. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a low-carbon fuel that can replace natural gas in the pipeline. National Renewable Energy Laboratory data on methane potential from waste feedstocks in MA was used to calculate the percentage of gas consumption that could be replaced by RNG and the emissions reductions.
