Green Forward
Introducing Green Forward, a new way to contribute to a healthy planet.
Green Forward, an easy, cost-effective and flexible way to address the carbon footprint from your natural gas use. Starting at $5 per month, you can join the community contributing to a more sustainable future.
How does Green Forward work?
Enroll at the level that’s right for you, starting at $5 per month per “block.” Each $5 block addresses approximately 25-37% (varies by state) of the average household’s emissions from natural gas use, and you can purchase as many blocks as you like.
The money you pay each month is used to purchase carbon offsets from projects that reduce or prevent the release of greenhouse gases such as forestry management, grassland and wetland preservation, as well as renewable natural gas certificates from projects such as landfills, farms and wastewater treatment plants.
With your participation, each month you address a percentage of the carbon footprint from your natural gas use. We’ll send you an annual impact report detailing your positive impact.
Green Forward is open to renters, homeowners and most businesses, and requires no contracts, installation or equipment. We are committed to offering you solutions that make a difference for the environment, and we do not make a profit from this voluntary program.
Your participation makes a positive impact
Every Green Forward participant helps make a positive impact. In 2025, participants collectively purchased 1,708 carbon offsets and 326 renewable natural gas certificates, supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy. That is the same impact as growing 28,236 tree seedlings for 10 years* and generating enough sustainable natural gas to run a gas oven for 13,040 hours.**
848 Green Foward participants
1,708 carbon offsets purchased
326 renewable natural gas certificates purchased
Thanks to the collective efforts of all Green Forward participants over the years, meaningful progress is being made. Together, these actions have supported multiple nationwide projects like the ones below.
Larimer County Landfill Gas Project
The Larimer County Landfill Gas Project near Fort Collins, Colorado, uses a system of 41 wells to capture methane from decomposing trash before it reaches the atmosphere. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG), and this project converts it into a gas with a lower environmental impact, which means fewer GHG emissions overall. By capturing and treating the landfill gas, the project also destroys other harmful pollutants, improving air quality for the roughly 3,000 people living near the site. Through the Green Forward program, participants help make these environmental and air quality benefits possible for nearby communities.
Bioenergy Devco Renewable Natural Gas Project
The Bioenergy Devco Renewable Natural Gas Project at the Maryland Food Center Campus uses anaerobic digestion to recycle food waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills and release methane, a powerful GHG, into the atmosphere. At this facility, about 110,000 tons of organic material are processed each year in sealed tanks that capture the resulting gas, which is cleaned and upgraded into renewable natural gas that can be used in the pipeline in place of conventional natural gas. By preventing methane emissions from decomposing food waste and displacing fossil fuel use, the project helps cut climate pollution from both the landfill and traditional natural gas. Through the Green Forward program, participants support this circular approach to managing food waste while helping reduce GHG emissions.
AMC Maine Woods Initiative IFM Project
The AMC Maine Woods Initiative Improved Forest Management Project protects 38,000 acres of forest in Maine’s 100‑Mile Wilderness. This area is managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the oldest outdoor conservation and recreation organization in the U.S. Instead of maximizing short‑term timber harvests, the project uses practices like harvesting less often, letting trees grow longer and leaving standing dead trees in place so the forest can store more carbon over time. These practices also support habitat for wildlife and protect soil and water quality. Through the Green Forward program, participants support an approach to forest management that connects environmental benefits with long‑term conservation and outdoor recreation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of joining Green Forward?
When you participate in Green Forward, you’re contributing to a healthy planet for future generations, while continuing to use your safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas appliances. Joining Green Forward means you’re addressing the emissions from your natural gas use through a mix of carbon offsets and renewable natural gas certificates. These carbon offsets support nature-based projects that could include improving forestry management, grasslands and wetlands preservation. Renewable natural gas certificates support the production of renewable fuel from landfills, farms, and wastewater treatment plants.
Plus, when you participate, you’ll receive an annual impact report detailing your impact as well as the environmental projects you’re supporting.
Who is eligible to enroll in Green Forward?
Active residential and small volume commercial natural gas customers in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming are eligible.
How much will it cost, and where does my money go?
Green Forward offers flexible options at a cost-effective and fixed monthly price. The monthly cost to participate starts at $5 more per month for each “block” you purchase, and one block is equivalent approximately 25-37% (varies by state) of the emissions associated with the average home’s natural gas use. You may purchase as many blocks as you like to address the emissions from your natural gas use, and the cost will be added to your Black Hills Energy bill.
The monthly participation cost goes toward the purchase of carbon offsets and renewable natural gas certificates from projects that reduce or prevent the release of greenhouse gases as well as program administration. We do not make a profit from this program.
Is there a contract?
No, there are no contracts, and you may change your enrollment level or cancel anytime.
Do I need to install or maintain any equipment?
With Green Forward, there is no need to install or maintain any equipment, ensuring the program is convenient for renters, homeowners and most businesses. This also makes it easy to continue using your safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas appliances.
What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. Carbon offsets can be derived from several sources and are grouped into categories, including, but not limited to, renewable energy development, landfill methane avoidance and destruction, energy efficiency, and improved forestry management.
What is a renewable natural gas certificate?
A renewable natural gas (RNG) certificate represents the environmental attributes, or greenhouse gas reduction benefit, associated with RNG. There are tremendous emissions reduction benefits from the use of RNG as it represents the beneficial use of methane that would have been released into the environment, whereas combustion of fossil natural gas represents the release of new carbon emissions into the atmosphere. By purchasing RNG certificates, you are receiving the environmental benefits of the production of that renewable fuel. Your RNG certificate purchase also helps build a market for renewable fuels. Increased use of renewable fuels helps reduce emissions and makes use of waste materials.
What is the difference between carbon offsets and renewable natural gas certificates?
Carbon offsets are created from projects that reduce or prevent the release of carbon emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Renewable natural gas (RNG) transforms organic waste into renewable energy that can be delivered through existing infrastructure to fuel vehicles and run your natural gas appliances. Some projects that produce RNG also create carbon offsets. When you enroll in Green Forward, you support a mix of approximately 1% renewable natural gas certificates and 99% carbon offsets.
Contact us
Reach out to us with any questions you have about Green Forward.
*Based on US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies calculator, last updated November 2024.
**Based on the approximate energy usage of 25,000 BTUs per hour for a range oven. One renewable natural gas (RNG) certificate represents the greenhouse gas reduction benefits associated with the production of 10 therms of RNG.