Press Release

PAPUC Commissioner Zerfuss Leads National Effort to Recognize Renewable Natural Gas as Strategic Energy Resource

Published on 2/11/2026

Filed under: Electric Gas

Resolution underscores the multiple benefits of renewable gas

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss this week 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.

About the PUC

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.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov