Discover how energy producers and traders are navigating the complex world of carbon certification to deliver verified net zero natural gas products. Host Mark Smith sits down with environmental consultant MaryBeth Clifford from Protect to explore the verification side of MMRV (monitoring, measuring, reporting, and verification) and how companies like Microsoft, AWS, and Google are moving beyond traditional carbon credits to actual net zero energy consumption.

Tune in inside: ISCC certification pathways, mass balance methodology, RNG blending strategies, blockchain-based environmental attribute certificates, real-time verification systems, ISO 14067 processes, LCFS compliance, empirical energy measurement, sustainability declarations, automated carbon tracking

Key takeaways: 

• Major tech companies are shifting from carbon credits to direct net zero energy consumption for their sustainability goals 

• Real-time mass balance calculations are essential for energy trading, unlike annual emissions inventory processes 

• ISCC certification provides viable pathways for blending RNG with conventional natural gas to achieve specific carbon intensity targets 

• Blockchain-based Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) eliminate double counting and provide immutable verification 

• Monthly verification cycles enable practical trading while maintaining certification integrity 

• Mass balance methodology aligns chemical engineering principles with certification requirements 

• Automated data collection systems are crucial for scaling verification processes across multiple regulatory frameworks 

• Different global regulations create complexity but ISCC is working to harmonize pathways across jurisdictions

00:02 Intro - Empirical Energy Podcast opening 

00:45 Host Introduction and Guest Welcome 

01:23 MaryBeth Clifford's Background in Oil & Gas and Environmental Consulting 

02:41 The Rise of Carbon and Sustainability Programs 

03:49 MMRV Framework and Episode Context 

04:42 Microsoft's Net Zero Goals and Industry Shift 

05:52 RNG and Natural Gas Certification Pathways 

07:02 ISCC CFR Beta Partnership and Verification Options 

08:04 Mass Balance Requirements for Trading 

09:18 Evolution of Carbon Intensity Pathways 

10:24 Real-time Data Management and Monthly Verification 

11:32 Environmental Attribute Certificates and Blockchain Integration 

13:35 Verification Process Improvements 

14:05 ISCC Compatibility with Various Regulatory Frameworks 

15:58 Global Regulation Complexity and Alignment Challenges 

17:22 Chemical Engineering Principles and Mass Balance 

17:44 Protect's Services and Client Support 

18:50 Outro - Call to Action

"We've walked a number of clients through verification processes to help them make sure that they have the data collected and then going with them to the meetings to answer the questions and get through that verification step."

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