TotalGreen

Please contact us by emailing RenewableGas@southernco.com with any questions you may have about the TotalGreen program.

For customers enrolled in TotalGreen Premium, their therm usage would be multiplied by $0.2576 to calculate the per-month contribution, displayed as a separate line item on their bill.

Disclaimer: The prices quoted above for both TotalGreen Basic and TotalGreen Premium are subject to change and are in addition to natural gas commodity costs, delivery costs, and taxes. Any changes will be communicated to participating customers prior to any price changes taking effect. Current prices listed on this website are effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, at a minimum. 

Customer impact example for participation in TotalGreen Basic:

The average Nicor Gas residential customer uses 1,093 therms of natural gas per year (based on 2019 usage). That’s approximately 91 therms per month, which equals an estimated per-month contribution of $6.70. Of the 1,093 therms used annually, approximately 7 therms are offset by RNG environmental attributes and approximately 1,086 therms are offset through retiring carbon offsets.

While natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, there are still greenhouse gas emissions associated with the combustion of natural gas. Greenhouse gases are measured using a common unit referred to as CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). For example, the annual CO2e emissions associated with 1,093 therms of geologic natural gas used annually results in 5.8 metric tons of CO2e. 

RNG is considered to be carbon neutral at the point of use because it does not contribute any net carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.[1]

Each individual carbon offset that is purchased and retired on this customer’s behalf through participation in TotalGreen results in the reduction or elimination of one metric ton (2,204 lbs) of CO2e. So, participation in TotalGreen for one year would offset, eliminate, or reduce an estimated 12,783 lbs of CO2e.

This would be an equivalent amount in greenhouse gases being avoided by approximately 250 trash bags of waste being recycled instead of landfilled in a year, OR the equivalent amount of carbon nullified by over 95 tree seedlings that are grown for 10 years.

Additional comparisons can be found here: Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator | US EPA

Disclaimer: This calculation assumes customer participation in TotalGreen Basic and is included for example purposes only. For TotalGreen Premium, the same calculation can be used, replacing 99.4% carbon offsets with 89.7% to revise the values calculated for RNG.

[1] See, e.g., https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf [ghgprotocol.org] (chapter 4, p. 25 and chapter 9, p. 63). By visiting this link, you are being redirected to a 3^rd party site not affiliated with Nicor Gas and such third party is the author or provider of the content therein.

The TotalGreen program bundles RNG with carbon offsets to reduce or offset 100% of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with a customer’s use of natural gas purchased from Nicor Gas. The program will use a set percentage of RNG to displace the corresponding amount of geologic natural gas that customers would have otherwise used. All remaining emissions are offset through purchasing and retiring carbon offsets.

Nicor Gas measures customers’ natural gas usage in therms. To calculate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the combustion of one therm of natural gas, Nicor Gas will use the U.S. EPA's combustion emissions factor. The program addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the combustion of natural gas at the point of consumption and does not include lifecycle emissions that occur during the extraction, production or delivery of natural gas.

Through TotalGreen, Nicor Gas will source carbon offsets from qualifying projects and retire those emission reductions on behalf of participating customers. An environmental impact summary can be provided to participating customers annually, upon request.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are measured using a common unit referred to as “carbon dioxide equivalent” or “CO2e.” A carbon offset represents the removal or capture of one metric ton of GHGs measured as CO2e. A carbon offset is a term that represents measures taken to remove or capture greenhouse gas emissions that occur elsewhere.  For TotalGreen, carbon offsets are purchased on behalf of our customers to offset the geologic natural gas carbon dioxide emissions they would otherwise produce. In simplest terms, carbon offset certificates are created and quantified when one metric ton of greenhouse gas is reduced, captured, avoided, or destroyed, from specific projects that offset or reduce the negative impact of CO2e on the environment.

Some examples of carbon offset projects include forestry management, landfill gas, manure management, energy efficiency, methane destruction, land use, or other agricultural management processes. Nicor Gas will prioritize price and proximity to Nicor Gas’ service territory when selecting offset projects.

To learn more about carbon offsets, click here. Please note, by visiting this link, you are being redirected to a 3rd party site not affiliated with Nicor Gas and such third party is the author or provider of the content therein.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a sustainable solution for natural gas needs.

RNG is produced in a different way than conventional (geologic) natural gas. RNG is not a fossil fuel, but can be used for space heating, water heating, cooking and all commercial processes currently fueled by geologic natural gas. RNG most commonly is produced by capturing methane from decaying organic waste found in landfills, wastewater plants and animal waste at farms. The finished RNG product is pipeline-quality gas that is interchangeable with geologic natural gas and, once connected to the gas system, can be integrated without upgrades to existing infrastructure. 

There are benefits to using RNG. It's considered to be carbon neutral at the point of use because it does not contribute any net carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.[1] Such findings are reported in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GHG emissions inventory and Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, and GHG emission trading programs.

Renewable gas provides a clean energy option that benefits our customers, our communities and our environment. Producing and using renewable gas contributes to emissions reductions and, in certain applications, the management of waste that would ultimately end up in a landfill. Utilizing RNG promotes energy resilience and fuel diversity through additional locally sourced supply options. This not only supports local economic investment and local jobs, but also increases the flexibility and utilization of the existing natural gas system. RNG can be used the same way as geologic natural gas, including in homes and businesses, in manufacturing and heavy industries, for electricity production and for natural gas-powered vehicles. End-use natural gas customers do not need to make any changes to their equipment to accept and utilize this carbon-neutral energy source.

To learn more about RNG, how it’s made and how it works, visit nicorgas.com/rng.

Environmental attributes are credits associated with the generation of a quantity of renewable gas by an RNG facility. For TotalGreen, these environmental attributes are quantified and transferred as Renewable Thermal Credits (“RTCs”). One RTC is issued for one dekatherm (10 therms) of RNG generation.

Nicor Gas will purchase the RTCs, which will then be retired on behalf of participating customers to offset the allocated portion (TotalGreen Basic vs. TotalGreen Premium) of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the use of natural gas that is purchased from Nicor Gas. the associated carbon emissions.

By participating in the TotalGreen program, customers can offset their total carbon emissions associated with their natural gas usage. As an energy partner to our customers, Nicor Gas will track the amount of natural gas consumed (therms) by the participating customer. In turn, an equivalent amount of carbon offsets will be retired to offset the customer’s emissions. Retiring a carbon offset on behalf of customers means that only participating customers can claim the environmental benefit(s) associated with the carbon offset(s).

TotalGreen will be available to Nicor Gas Sales Customers. To participate in TotalGreen, customers must take natural gas service under Rate 1 (residential), Rate 4, Rate 5, Rate 6, or Rate 7 and purchase their natural gas supply from Nicor Gas. The green box on the example customer bill under “How does TotalGreen work?” identifies  the rate under which you take natural gas service. LIHEAP and PIPP funds will not be applied to offset the cost premium associated with TotalGreen. For detailed information on eligibility, please see Rider 40 for full Program terms and details.

If you are a Commercial or Industrial customer that would prefer a purchasing option that would include 100% RNG environmental attributes (no carbon offsets), a special contract can be arranged through Nicor Gas. Please use the enrollment form above to contact us and a representative will get in touch with you.