Downstream Natural Gas Initiative

The Downstream Natural Gas Initiative (DSI) is a group of leading natural gas utilities collaborating to build a shared vision for the role of utilities and the gas distribution network in the transition to a low-carbon future. DSI is focused on opportunities to leverage the existing infrastructure to support near- and long-term environmental and economic goals, and to address key technical and regulatory challenges related to these goals and opportunities. 

In 2021, DSI's work will continue to focus on the role of natural gas distribution utilities and the gas distribution network in the transition to a low-carbon future. DSI will concentrate on the following priorities: 

• Advancing a long-term vision and related strategies for the role of natural gas distribution utilities in reducing GHG emissions
• Increasing support for and awareness of near-term opportunities related to renewable natural gas and longer-term opportunities related to hydrogen and synthetic natural gas
• Engaging with large industrial natural gas consumers to develop low-carbon solutions 
• Accelerating energy efficiency of gas-fired end uses 
• Furthering best management practices to reduce methane emissions from natural gas distribution systems 

​Key Issues: 

• Decarbonization pathway analysis and discussions
• Policy, regulatory, and market barriers to accelerating deployment of renewable natural gas and hydrogen 
• Policy, regulatory, and market barriers to improving energy efficiency of end uses 
• Best management practices to reduce methane emissions from natural gas distribution infrastructure and operations 
• Ongoing methane leak detection research, development, and deployment 
• EPA's Methane Challenge program 

MJB&A provides technical and policy support to partners, and facilitates outreach efforts with government, environmental, and other stakeholders.

Current partners include:

• Consolidated Edison Company of New York
• DTE Energy
• Enbridge
• Eversource
• FortisBC 
• Liberty Utilities
• National Grid
• NiSource
• NW Natural
• Pacific Gas & Electric
• Philadelphia Gas Works
• Puget Sound Energy 
• Southern California Gas Company
• Southern Company Gas
• VGS

​Resources

• MJB&A Paper on the Role of Natural Gas Networks in a Low Carbon Future
• MJB&A Issue Brief Series on Renewable Natural Gas
• Downstream Natural Gas Initiative Response to House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' Request for Information (November 22, 2019)

Contacts

Robert LaCount, Executive Vice President
rlacount@mjbradley.com
+1 202-347-7266

Brian Jones, Senior Vice President
bjones@mjbradley.com
+1 978-369-5533