Oklahoma § 17-801.8 - Legislative declaration on natural gas – Corporation

§ 17-801.8. Legislative declaration on natural gas – Corporation

Commission report and recommendations.

A. The Legislature declares that renewable natural gas is a

complement to our state's vast natural gas and renewable energy

resources that can be carbon neutral or carbon negative.

B. It is further declared the intent of the Legislature to

ensure renewable natural gas is allowable in the portfolio of

natural gas utilities on behalf of Oklahoma energy consumers for

their fueling, heating and power needs, and that natural gas

utilities play a unique and necessary role in procuring,

transporting and delivering gas, including renewable natural gas, to

Oklahoma energy consumers.

C. For purposes of this section:

1. "Biogas" means a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons,

primarily methane gas, released from the biological decomposition of

waste, including, but not limited to, animal manure, wastewater,

municipal solid waste, landfilled waste, fats, oils and greases and

food waste; and

2. "Renewable natural gas" means:

a.

biogas-derived methane gas that is interchangeable

with geologic natural gas,

b.

hydrogen gas or carbon oxides derived from renewable

energy sources, or

c.

methane gas derived from any combination of hydrogen

gas or carbon oxides derived from renewable energy

sources, biogas and waste carbon dioxide.

D. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission shall, no later than

December 1, 2021, issue a report and recommendations to the

Legislature regarding the ability and appropriateness of natural gas

utilities to procure, transport and deliver renewable natural gas to

customers. The report shall address a recommendation for the

state's renewable fuel standard or goal to more proactively promote

biogas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen as solutions for reducing

methane emissions and other environmental problems. The report

shall also discuss the methods for recovery of associated costs from

ratepayers, such as transport infrastructure and commodity costs.

The report shall also address the production of educational

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

materials to provide Oklahoma residents with information regarding

renewable natural gas and its positive environmental impacts and

benefits. The report shall also discuss future reporting

requirements for all producers so the Commission can report progress

annually to the Legislature. The report shall be due to the

Legislature no later than December 1, 2021.

Added by Laws 2021, c. 150, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.