DTE Energy claims renewables "first" with biomethane

August 27, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

DTE Energy Company subsidiary DTE Gas is providing residential customers pipeline-quality natural gas that has been converted from landfill gas via a $22 million biomethane project.

Credit: Ropable/Wikimedia Commons

For $2.50 a month, customers can support the company's renewable energy efforts. The BioGreenGas program contributes to the development of that pipeline-quality natural gas at the Sauk Trail Hills landfill in Canton, Mich. DTE Pipeline Company invested approximately $2 million to build a pipeline and a meter station at Sauk Trail Hills. This is one of the first programs of its kind in the country for residential customers and the first by a utility in Michigan.

BioGreenGas uses the methane that arises naturally from landfills. As organic matter decays, methane escapes into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. Capturing methane and removing the impurities creates a renewable source of pipeline quality natural gas.

"[Our customers] asked us for a renewable energy option on the gas side of the business. BioGreenGas was created in response to our customers' requests," said Mark Stiers, DTE Gas vice president of gas sales and supply. "We could buy gas from anywhere, but we chose to locally source our green gas, while helping to improve the environment in our home state."

Since 2012 when the program was launched, 2,000 customers have subscribed and more wait patiently for an opportunity to enroll. DTE Gas could expand the program to meet additional demand.

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/dte-energy-claims-renewables-first-biomethane/2013-08-27