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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021)
HOUSE BILL 1815 By: McBride
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to renewable gas energy; making
certain declaration; declaring legislative intent;
defining terms; requiring the Oklahoma Corpora tion
Commission to issue a report and recommendations to
the Legislature by a certain date ; providing for
codification; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 801.8 of Title 17, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Legislature declares that renewable natural gas is a
complement to our state's vast nat ural gas and renewable ener gy
resources that can be carbon neutral or carbon negative.
B. It is further declared the intent of the Legislature to
ensure renewable natural gas is allowable in the portfolio of
natural gas utilities on behalf of Oklahoma ene rgy consumers for
their fueling, heating and power needs, and that natural gas
utilities play a unique and necessary role in procuring,
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transporting and delivering gas, including renewable natural gas, to
Oklahoma energy consumers.
C. For purposes of this section:
1. "Biogas" means a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons,
primarily methane gas, released from the biological decomposition of
waste, including, but not limited to, animal manure, wastewater,
municipal solid waste, landfilled waste, fats, oils and greases and
food waste; and
2. "Renewable natural gas" means:
a. biogas-derived methane gas that is interchangeable
with geologic natural gas,
b. hydrogen gas or carbon oxides derived from renewable
energy sources, or
c. methane gas derived from any combination of hydrogen
gas or carbon oxides derived from renewable energy
sources, biogas and waste carbon dioxide.
D. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission shall, no later than
December 1, 2021, issue a report and recommendations to the
Legislature regarding the ability and appropriateness of natural gas
utilities to procure, transport and deliver renewable natural gas to
customers. The report shall address a recommendation for the
state's renewable fuel standard or goal to more proactively promote
biogas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen as solutions for reducing
methane emissions and other environmental problems. The report
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shall also discuss the methods for recovery of associated costs from
ratepayers, such as transport infrastructure and commodi ty costs.
The report shall also address the production of educational
materials to provide Oklahoma residents with information regarding
renewable natural gas and its positive environmental impacts and
benefits. The report shall also discuss future repor ting
requirements for all producers so the Commission can report progress
annually to the Legislature. The report shall be due to the
Legislature no later than December 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021 .
58-1-5671 JL 12/16/20