Avista, a utilities company that provides electric and natural gas services to areas in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, on Sept. 3 issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking to secure a long-term supply of renewable natural gas (RNG).
Avista anticipates proposals from both new and existing RNG sources, such as landfill RNG, biomass fast pyrolysis synthetic RNG, dairy RNG, food waste RNG, municipal wastewater treatment plant RNG, RNG community portfolios (bundled or unbundled), carbon capture with synthetic RNG byproduct, hydrogen, and other RNG offerings that meet the company’s needs.
RNG secured via the RPF is anticipated to help meet carbon reductions required by Oregon and Washington, as well as Avista’s aspirational corporate goals. For projects selected through the RFP, Avistia plans to obtain all rights to the specified output of the project for a minimum 3-year term and maximum 20-year term. This includes both the physical gas and the environmental attributes generated by the project. The company noted 5 to 15-year contract terms are preferred.
The RFP is open to partners who currently own, propose to develop, or hold rights to resources, or those marketing a resource or portfolio of resources meeting Avista’s requirements for RNG. Bidders may submit multiple proposals. Each proposal may include certain configuration, contracting or pricing options. Avista anticipates RNG deliveries secured under the RFP to begin no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025.
“Avista is seeking to obtain RNG, so that we may build on our aspirational goals to be carbon neutral in our natural gas operations by 2045, and so that we may also meet the requirements of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act and Oregon’s carbon reduction goals,” said Jason Thackston, Avista’s chief strategy and clean energy officer. “Additionally, legislative changes have laid the groundwork for utilities, such as Avista, to enter the RNG market as developers, long-term buyers, and long-term partners to help grow and mature the RNG market in North America.”
A bidders conference is scheduled to take place Sept. 17. RFP submissions are due Oct. 29, with initial notification to responders expected by Nov. 19. Additional information is available on the Avista website.
