Renewable natural gas supply expected to expand.

BP p.l.c. and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. are joining forces to increase the supply of renewable natural gas (RNG) for Clean Energy as more of the company’s fleets request the clean fuel.

The agreement enables BP to flow larger volumes to Clean Energy stations as the supply of RNG is expected to rapidly grow over the next several years with a number of new RNG production facilities under construction and more announced. In turn, Clean Energy will share in the incremental environmental credit revenues generated from the incremental RNG volume.

Renewable natural gas fuel, or biomethane, is produced entirely from organic waste. As a fuel for natural gas vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, it is estimated to result in 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions than from equivalent gasoline or diesel fuel vehicles, which makes it the cleanest fuel available anywhere. Clean Energy has grown sales of its Redeem-branded RNG from 22 million gasoline equivalent gallons (GGEs) in 2014, the first full year it was available, to an expected 100 million GGEs in 2018.

“The growth of our Redeem RNG has been astounding as municipalities and companies all over the country are achieving their sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals by switching their fleets,” said Andrew Littlefair, Clean Energy’s president and CEO. “This agreement combines BP’s significant investments in RNG projects and supply network with Clean Energy’s vehicle fueling network and will help to create certainty for future RNG project development and continue to accelerate adoption of natural gas vehicle fueling.”

“As one of the largest suppliers of renewable natural gas to the U.S. transportation sector, BP is committed to supporting the transition to a lower-carbon energy future,” said Sean Reavis, BP senior vice president – global environmental products. “Our agreement with Clean Energy reflects that commitment, and we believe today’s announcement will help to accelerate the growth of RNG and promote a more sustainable energy mix.”

Redeem renewable natural gas is derived from biogenic methane, biomethane or biogas, which is methane that is naturally generated by the decomposition of organic waste. The methane gas is processed, purified and sent into the interstate natural gas pipeline and is currently made available exclusively to Clean Energy customers.