Biological + Gas = Biogas
Join us, and stop waste going to waste
This is Fortis BC’s motto in launching its new Renewable Natural Gas program and promotional campaign. The new source of renewable energy is biogas, which is created when bacteria breaks down organic waste. The biogas is then collected and purified into an energy sources. Since the biogas, or methane, is captured instead of escaping into the atmosphere, it is considered carbon neutral and also reduces equivalent carbon dioxide emissions by up to 21 times. This new energy sources is the most environmentally friendly fuels available in BC, and is now being offered to homes and business as an energy alternative for an additional charge.
For business owners, BC Hydro will recognize their commitment on the BC Hydro website if they choose to participate. For homes, owners can choose to designate 10% of their natural gas usage into renewable natural gas at around $5 additional per month. Two benefits that BC Hydro highlights from using renewable natural gas are:
- Reducing carbon footprint
- Support the growth of sustainable energy in BC
So, what do you think? Would you add $5 into your BC Hydro bill each month to commit 10% of your natural gas usage as renewable natural gas?
For me, I don’t think $5 is the problem. I think the problem is whether 10% of my natural gas usage will actually be changed into a renewable gas form. This type of “green purchase” is a perfect example of a credence purchase, where you don’t know if what you purchased actually works even after you buy it. It is almost like buying carbon offset. How will I know for sure that I am now supplied with 10% renewable natural gas?
This campaign is more so selling a green product instead of trying to change consumer behaviour. Rather than, say, the City of Vancouver trying to reduce homes from watering their lawn, BC Hydro is hoping their consumers will buy more. In this case, it will be more effective to show consumers how much their effort translates into in terms of quantitative change. The first benefit listed was “reducing carbon footprint.” Well, how much is “reducing?” It would be more effective to show numbers and possibly a percentage change in carbon footprint in regard to household natural gas consumption. The second benefit was “support the growth of sustainable energy in BC.” To an average person, “sustainable energy” is not easy to understand. In COMM486F, we tried to define and understand the term “sustainable” for the entire term. In this case, BC Hydro could have put more effort into defining what the future growth of sustainable energy would look like. For example, will it be enough to supply natural gas for an x number of homes entirely? What other initiatives are the consumers exactly supporting the growth of? That said, education is key. If your consumers don’t understand what difference they are making, it is much less likely that they will participate.
In my opinion, I would pay the $5 more for the renewable natural gas. Would you?