Expert Witness Support on Columbia Gas's Green Path Rider

Maryland Office of People’s Counsel
Project Completed January 2023

Synapse provided expert witness services to the Maryland Office of the People's Counsel regarding Columbia Gas of Maryland’s proposed Green Path Rider, a voluntary program to allow its customers to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their fossil gas use with renewable natural gas attributes and GHG offsets.

Synapse's Alice Napoleon submitted an affidavit that addressed the role of a monopoly utility in this new business area, the program's lack of benefit in terms of GHG reductions and applicability toward state GHG reduction goals, impacts on consumer behavior, and issues with consumer protection. Ms. Napoleon appeared before the Public Service Commission with the People's Counsel David Lapp, and successfully argued that the petition should not be granted.