Summit Utilities Arkansas Innovates with Methane Recapture Technology
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (June 7, 2022) –Summit Utilities Arkansas (Summit) completed a successful pilot of methane recapture technology while working on a pipeline replacement project in Sherwood, Arkansas on June 2, 2022.
This is the seventh time a Summit Utilities, Inc. subsidiary has leveraged methane recapture technology and the company is excited to continue its work to reduce emissions on its system and limit its environmental impact.
“Utilizing methane recapture technology presents an incredible opportunity to reduce emissions in our operations by capturing and reusing gas that would otherwise have been emitted into the atmosphere,” said Brad Fischer, Manager of Environmental Programs at Summit. “The environmental impact of carbon captured through this project was equivalent to growing 1.2 acres of forest for an entire year. We will continue to look for opportunities to use innovative carbon-reduction technologies like the GoVAC FLEXTM in our operations.”
Gas venting during planned maintenance and pipeline replacement projects can lead to methane emissions from gas distribution systems. By piloting GoVAC FLEXTM technology during the replacement of 2,700 feet of an 8-inch steel gas line, Summit was successfully able to prevent more than 2,267 pounds of CO2e from being purged to the atmosphere.
The recent pilot of GoVAC FLEXTM technology is one of many steps Summit is taking to reduce emissions from its pipeline system. The GoVAC FLEXTM is a revolutionary tool for minimizing methane releases during pipeline blowdowns. It is powered by a small portion of the gas being recovered, so no external power is required. Parent company, Summit Utilities, Inc. is proud to be a leader in reducing methane emissions in the gas industry. Additional efforts include:
ONE Future Coalition member since 2016: Summit is a member of the ONE Future Coalition, an organization made up of energy companies from across the natural gas supply chain that are committed to achieving a science-based average rate of methane emissions across facilities equivalent to one percent or less of total natural gas production. With company leaders on ONE Future’s Board of Directors and other policy and technical committees, Summit works with the coalition to report emissions data, mitigation efforts and best practices with the goal of leading the industry to a sustainable path of lower emissions and more efficient operations.
Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge: By participating in the voluntary U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Methane Challenge Program since 2016, Summit commits to transparently reporting methane emissions and describing the systematic and comprehensive actions the company is taking to reduce methane emissions.
Summit Utilities, Inc. closed on its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area on January 10, 2022. The gas distribution systems included in the transaction serve approximately 525,000 customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and include 17,000 miles of gas main pipeline throughout those three states. As part of the acquisition, Summit has welcomed nearly 600 CenterPoint team members to the company. Throughout 2022, Summit and CenterPoint will work together to migrate all operations and services to Summit. During that transition period, CenterPoint will continue to provide certain services to customers on behalf of Summit including aspects of billing, customer support and marketing.
Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.
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