SoCalGas Applauds Recognition of Renewable Natural Gas in LEED Green Building Standards Low-carbon renewable fuel made from waste is now another option for green building design News provided by Share this article Share this article LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today applauded the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for including use of renewable natural gas (RNG) in the latest beta version of its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system. RNG is a low-carbon fuel produced from waste that can be used just like traditional natural gas. With the new system, a project may utilize RNG to earn LEED points by capturing and using biogas on site, sourcing biogas from a third party, or by purchasing biogas to store in the project's own storage system. The RNG can be used for heating, hot water and cooking in commercial buildings, and for stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces and heating in homes. The number of LEED points determines the level of LEED certification the project can achieve.