Key Takeaways
- New research from Vanguard Renewables outlines 1,580 trillion Btu of untapped renewable natural gas (RNG) potential in the Midwest
- Bio-LNG could help U.S. LNG exports meet tightening global maritime emissions standards
- Study estimates $1.1–$2 billion in additional annual farm revenue and up to 680,000 new jobs
- Policy gap under the Renewable Fuel Standard may limit investment in maritime bio-LNG
- Bipartisan legislation introduced to address regulatory barriers
Vanguard Renewables Highlights Midwest RNG Opportunity
New research published by Vanguard Renewables finds that agricultural waste across the U.S. Midwest could generate approximately 1,580 trillion Btu of renewable natural gas (RNG), more than eight times the size of the current RNG market.
According to the white paper, crop residues and food waste represent a significant, underutilized feedstock base. When upgraded and liquefied, RNG becomes bio-LNG, a fuel compatible with existing liquefied natural gas infrastructure. Bio-LNG can serve as a drop-in solution for maritime shipping, allowing conventional LNG to meet international low-carbon fuel requirements without new vessels or infrastructure modifications.
The findings position America’s agricultural heartland as a potential contributor to both domestic energy production and global fuel markets.
