The purpose of this document is to provide a preliminary, objective evaluation of the potential to produce renewable natural gas ("RNG," also "biomethane") from the major sources of organic waste in Colorado, and use it in the state's on-road transportation market. As a large state with significant agricultural activity and a growing population, Colorado has a significant potential resource for producing RNG, at wastewater facilities; landfills; from the anaerobic digestion of animal manure generated by the beef, dairy, hog and poultry industries; and from the anaerobic digestion of residential, commercial and manufacturing food waste. The findings of this assessment indicate that Colorado has a significant opportunity to produce and use RNG in vehicles, or for other energy end-uses currently dependent on conventional natural gas. The combined displacement of conventional natural gas or diesel fuel; the mitigation of fugitive methane emissions from oil and gas production; and the similar mitigation of fugitive methane emissions from agricultural, municipal and commercial waste management practices in the state could provide measurable climate and clean air benefit primarily in the form of reduced greenhouse gas and nitrogen oxide emissions.
