Southwest Gas to provide RTC with RNG supplied by US Gain

Southwest Gas, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and U.S. Gain are excited to announce a partnership that will provide RTC’s transit buses with a cleaner, operationally cost-effective fuel source to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decrease operating costs.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada-approved agreement allows Southwest Gas to provide RTC with environmentally friendly renewable natural gas (RNG) to fuel most of the agency’s public transit fleet. U.S. Gain, a Sustainable Energy Solutions provider, was selected to supply the RNG.

RNG can be used in everything that already uses natural gas. Sourced from a variety of organic byproducts, the resulting RNG has a low, neutral, or negative carbon intensity (CI) score depending on its feedstock. The production of RNG itself captures methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere while the use of the gas results in carbon dioxide emission reductions when compared to diesel. Southwest Gas has been working with several customers in our service territory who are either RNG developers or organizations seeking renewable natural gas supply.

“Southwest Gas is committed to stewarding a sustainable future through both our operations and the clean and affordable renewable natural gas we deliver to customers. RNG is a powerful solution which will help Southwest Gas customers reduce GHG emissions. At 35 percent**, the transportation sector makes up the largest percentage of GHG emissions in Nevada. This important and forward-thinking partnership demonstrates our ability to provide our valued customers and communities with sustainable energy solutions and technologies that are environmentally friendly,” said John Hester, CEO and president of Southwest Gas. “We are committed to providing clean energy for generations to come and are proud to join forces with the RTC and U.S. Gain to help expand sustainable transit options in Southern Nevada.”

“RNG will provide the RTC with the ability to use clean fuel technology that is compatible with existing vehicles and fueling infrastructure,” said M.J. Maynard, RTC CEO.  “This is significant as it will help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout Southern Nevada while saving up to $1.2 million in operating costs.” 

“Collaboratives like this accelerate RNG adoption for fleets spanning industries and geographies,” said Bryan Nudelbacher, U.S. Gain’s director of business development. “We’re honored to partner with Southwest Gas and the RTC – showcasing the real value RNG has and the sustainability case associated with both the development and use of the gas. With experience managing over 30 RNG development projects, we’re steadfast in connecting fleets with RNG supply, streamlining decarbonization efforts across their value chain.”

This collaboration supports efforts to reduce GHG emissions in Nevada to zero or near-zero levels by 2050 and is another example of the role Southwest Gas plays in reducing their overall carbon footprint.