RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Find Out What City Wants to Reward You for Reporting Idling Vehicles
By Jeremy Kranowitz, Sustainable America.
New York City is worried about engine idling, and we all can benefit. The New York City Council is introducing a bill to allow for citizens to report idling vehicles, with an important twist—citizens can split the fine with the city.
At a rally on the steps of city hall yesterday, Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal and Councilman Donovan Rochards announced this bill to greatly increase the attention by the public on this issue that is both a public nuisance and an economic drain.
Managing the Conundrum of the Cellulosic Biofuel RVO
By Brian Foody, Biofuels Digest.
After a long period of limited production, cellulosic biofuels are finally starting to flow into the market. Renewable natural gas and cellulosic ethanol production facilities are operating and some are approaching commercial production volumes. These fuels generate D3 (cellulosic) RINs (Renewable Identification Numbers), which are used by obligated parties for managing their compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The emergence of commercial cellulosic biofuel production is a signal of the success of the RFS.
However, the outlook for cellulosic biofuels investment is clouded by uncertainty about the low value of D3 RINs.
Portland Has Alt-Fuel Plans for Sewage Plant
By NGT News.
The City of Portland, Ore., has plans to build a facility that converts biogas into compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fuel at the existing Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant (CBWTP).
According to the city's Bureau of Environmental Services, the project would help enable the plant to reuse nearly all of the 600 million cubic feet of biogas, a sewage byproduct, it produces annually.
The bureau says it is exploring several possible uses for the CNG, including fueling city-owned vehicles and selling it to Portland-area garbage haulers to fuel trucks or to a utility company.
Here’s Another Thing To Love About Hawaii
By Ari Phillips, Climate Progress.
Hawaii is on track to pass legislation this year requiring the state to go 100 percent renewable by 2040.
Earlier this month, committees in the Hawaii House and Senate both unanimously recommended bills that would raise the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) from the current target of 70 percent by 2030 to the ultimate goal of 100 percent by 2040. Hawaii has had an RPS since 2001, and right now the state gets just over 21 percent of its power from renewable sources — a 12 percent increase in just six years.
Xebec expands its gas upgrading and conditioning solutions with high efficency membranes
By Xebec, CNW.
Xebec, a provider of gas purification and filtration solutions for the natural gas, field gas, biogas, helium, and hydrogen markets, announced today that, effective immediately, it will be integrating high efficiency membranes into its gas purification and separation solutions.
Where corn is king: Jeb Bush, White House hopefuls address hot topic
By Ashley Killough, CNN.
For Iowa's economy, corn is everything.
So it's no surprise that the Republican governor and other powerful voices in state agribusiness are vocal backers of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal rule that requires gasoline to be comprised of up to 10% in renewable fuels.
One of those is ethanol -- with corn often a key ingredient.
"Don't mess with the RFS," Gov. Terry Branstad said Saturday, offering a not so subtle warning as he kicked off a daylong agriculture summit that featured a string of likely Republican presidential candidates.
Five Huge Advancements in Alternative Energy to Watch for in 2015
By Dixie Somers, Greener Ideal.
The alternative energy industry continues to surge in the global marketplace, and technological advancements promise rewards for both consumers and investors.
These innovations are normally brought about through improved renewable energy system efficiency and increased popularity for these systems in high growth, regional markets.
Here are some of the top renewable energy innovations that will be in the spotlight throughout 2015.
Gov. Wolf's budget to boost green energy on back of fossil fuels
By Katelyn Ferral, Trib Total Media.
Gov. Tom Wolf is looking to borrow money to inject millions of dollars in subsidies and grants into Pennsylvania's renewable energy industry.
In his proposed $30 billion budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, Wolf would fund several energy initiatives by issuing $675 million in bonds. He would pay the interest on the bond money with $55 million from a proposed severance tax on oil and gas drillers.
The plan would direct $225 million to energy investments.
A call for more out-of-state renewables
By Debra Kahn, E&E News.
Former Energy Secretary Steven Chu also appeared at the forum and praised California's leadership, saying it should have a bigger seat at the table in international climate negotiations.
"It is a good thing that in Paris we're beginning to say, 'Don't look only at the central governments,'" he said. "Look what we're doing at the state level, the city level, that adds up to a national movement."
Chu also offered some constructive criticism, recommending that the state embrace renewable power from outside its borders.
Michigan legislators propose RPS for 2020
By Jaclyn Brandt, Fierce Energy.
Michigan's legislative Democrats have released a list of energy principles to increase renewable energy generation in the state. Rep. Bill LaVoy and Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood said they hope the principles will help bring businesses to the state -- while making sure utility costs stay affordable.
"Through 2014, renewable energy projects have brought nearly $3 billion in investment to Michigan, and utilities are on track to meet the 10 percent goal required in current law," Rep. LaVoy said. "As long as renewable energy remains economically viable the percentage of power generation should increase. Additionally, increasing Michigan based generation keeps jobs and investment in Michigan."
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