RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Government of Canada and SDTC announce new technology for Clean Transportation
By Charles Tremblay for Your Oil & Gas News.
The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced funding of $2.2 million for a clean technology project in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec. The funding will support Sysgaz Inc.'s development of a technology that can transform methane gas collected from landfills into renewable liquefied natural gas (R-LNG). The funding was provided through Sustainable Development Technology Canada's (SDTC) SD Tech Fund™.
US EPA Releases Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations under RFS2 for 2014, 2015, 2016
By the Coalition For Renewable Natural Gas.
This morning US EPA, upon approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), released their Proposed Rulemaking to establish Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations (RVO) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) for the past year (2014), current year (2015) and next year (2016). The 2017 RVO is not due until November, 2016 and has not yet been determined.
As of July 2014, renewable natural gas produced at landfills, separated MSW digesters, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural digesters, and biogas from cellulosic components of biomass processed in other waste digesters qualifies under the RFS2's Cellulosic Biofuel category. Each gallon of cellulosic biofuel is eligible to generate a D3 Renewable Identification Number (RIN). The Cellulosic Biofuel RVOs for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are listed below in ethanol gallon equivalents (EGE):
2014: 33 million RINs (EGE)
2015: 106 million RINs (EGE)
2016: 206 million RINs (EGE)
According to the Fact Sheet released today by EPA, the 2014 RVO is based on actual production. EPA is seeking comment on any new data to inform setting the final RVO for 2015 and 2016, and will host a public hearing on June 25 in Kansas City, Kansas. Written comments on the Proposed Rulemaking will be accepted until July 27.
The RNG Coalition provided EPA with a full-year 2015 cellulosic biofuel production estimate of 157 million EGE. The RNG Coalition also estimated that 295 million EGE of renewable natural gas will be dedicated for transportation fuel use in 2016.
"Avoidable consequences occur each day that RVOs are delayed. Cellulosic biofuel production is postponed, producers lose revenue and the RFS2 program is undermined as a result of its own inefficiency. As a result, the United States is deprived of renewable fuels that would have otherwise incrementally displaced our dependence on foreign oil" said Johannes Escudero, Executive Director of the Coalition For Renewable Natural Gas. "Fortunately, with the proposed rulemaking, EPA has demonstrated a commitment to getting the RFS2 back on track. If administered as intended, and if annual RVOs are established on schedule, we believe the program will work and incentivize the increased production and utilization of renewable fuels."
"The renewable natural gas industry will supply the cellulosic biofuel needed to meet these RVOs," said David Cox, Director of Operations and General Counsel for the Coalition For Renewable Natural Gas. "This is an industry that is growing - in size, capability and credibility. And now, for the first time since gaining recognition as a cellulosic biofuel, renewable natural gas is positioned to deliver the clean and renewable, ultra-low carbon fuel envisioned when RFS2 was enacted. RNG will be the succes story of the RFS2."
CLICK HERE to view EPA's Fact Sheet for the Proposed Rulemaking (4 pp).
CLICK HERE to view the full text of EPA's Proposed Rulemaking (121 pp).
US EPA intends to finalize the proposed RVOs by November 30, 2015.
An overview of biogas production and utilization at full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the United States
By Science Direct.
Challenges and opportunities towards energy-neutral WWTPs.
Recently the United States Environmental Protection Agency qualified biogas from landfills and anaerobic digesters as a cellulosic transportation biofuel under the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Biogas is a renewable fuel that can generate Renewable Identification Number credits for the producer. The wastewater industry may not be able to keep pace with this opportunity. Less than 10% of WWTPs in the US have currently produced biogas for beneficial use. Supporting growth of the biogas industry requires implementation of new practices and policies. In this review, the barriers, gaps, and challenges in deploying biogas production technology are identified. Issues are classified as economic, technical, social or regulatory issues. Some of the critical challenges to the economics of digester operations are the slow rate of biogas generation, the low energy content of the biogas, and the costs to upgrade the biogas.
Team RNG: Bringing a New Fuel to Market
By Stephanie Thorson, Biomass Magazine.
A movement is only as effective as the people behind it. For renewable natural gas (RNG), a dynamic team has coalesced to bring this fuel to market and strengthen its profile and uptake. I am fortunate to be working with the individuals described below, whom I refer to as Team RNG.
Apart from supportive government representatives and technology suppliers who play a critical role in RNG development, there are people from several associations and natural gas utilities that are charting the course for RNG development and dismantling barriers to production and use of this fuel. What drives this group and how did they choose this cause? Some of the key players describe their paths, motivations and findings.
Air Liquide Commissions New Carbon Dioxide Plant in California
ByAir Liquide, PR Web.
Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP (“Air Liquide”) has commissioned a new state-of-the-art carbon dioxide liquefaction plant in Tulare County, California. The new 450 ton-per-day facility is one of three carbon dioxide liquefaction facilities owned and operated by Air Liquide in the state.
The facility captures carbon dioxide emissions from an ethanol plant owned by Calgren Renewable Fuels. The carbon dioxide recovered is then purified and liquefied by Air Liquide to meet the specifications of the diverse food, beverage and manufacturing industries in the region. Liquid carbon dioxide provides manufacturers the benefit of quickly freezing and preserving their products. It also helps maintain safe temperatures that improve quality in certain manufacturing processes.
“The new state-of-the-art carbon dioxide facility we are commissioning today reflects Air Liquide’s continued commitment to supply high quality products and services to customers safely and reliably,” said John Buckley, CEO of Air Liquide USA LLC. “We are proud to work alongside Calgren Renewable Fuels in this venture as we grow in California, and we are appreciative of the support we have received from the local community and from our customers in this region.”
Registration Open for North American NGV Conference & Expo
By NGV America.
NGVAmerica is pleased to announce that registration and exhibition sales for the 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo to be held September 15–17 in Denver, Colorado, are now open.
Now in its third year, the 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo is anticipated to be the largest natural gas vehicle (NGV)-focused event of the year, attracting more than 100 exhibitors, 1,000 attendees and 70 speakers and panelists.
Gas Prices Not Affected by Renewable Fuel Standard
By WNAX, Radio 570.
Retail gas prices from 2013 through the first quarter of 2015 were unaffected by prices for RIN credits that are used to demonstrate compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard. Renewable Fuel Association Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper says that’s contained in a new study released by Informa Economics.
Cooper says EPA and the President need to keep these study results in mind when they release the renewable fuel obligations next month for 2014, 2015 and 2016.
He says Informa’s numbers in this study are confirmed by former White House Economic Advisor James Stock.
Cooper says this proves that RIN prices are not connected to retail fuel prices.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy witnesses base energy program firsthand
By Nathan Hanks, DVIDS.
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s energy initiatives have caught the attention of Department of Defense officials as it continues its quest to become the first “net zero” Marine Corps installation in the DoD.
One official, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Dennis V. McGinn, Energy, Installations and Environment, visited the base to see MCLB Albany’s energy program firsthand May 19.
McGinn, who was appointed to his current position, Sept. 3, 2013, oversees all Department of the Navy functions and programs related to installations, safety, energy and environment.
Landfill gas to diesel project moves forward
By Erin Kilgore, Hydrogen Fuel News.
The new GTL project is set to become operational in Oklahoma City by the first half of 2016.
Construction on the first of a series of GTL (gas-to-liquids) plants, which are part of the Envia project, and will be developed by multiple Houston-based companies, will soon commence and these plants will be designed to convert landfill gas into petroleum products with the goal being to not only produce cleaner fuel, but to also generate revenue.
The Envia project in Oklahoma City could be the turning point in the industry’s efforts to commercialize gas from landfills.
Tapping the (Decomposing) Big Apple: NYC’s Organic Waste Is a Crucial Renewable Energy Resource
By Matt Tomich, Breaking Energy.
New York and other cities across the U.S. and around the world are grappling with the imperative to cut greenhouse gas emissions and implement low-carbon energy and fuel systems. Whether the emission reduction goals are 30% by 2020, 50% by 2030, or 80% by 2050, leaders and climate experts agree: the time to act on climate is now.
There is less agreement on how specifically to meet the ambitious goals. Solar, wind, biofuels, energy efficiency and other innovations may all play a role. But each city and region has its own challenges. What works in L.A., where it’s sunny and warm all year ‘round and everyone owns a car, may not work for New York or Boston, and vice versa.
But waste is a constant in every city, regardless of size or geography. In the U.S., we generate lots of it — more than 250 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. Of this, approximately 28%, or 70 million tons, is food and yard waste. That doesn’t even count other large, non-municipal sources of organics like wastewater plants, agricultural operations, food processing, and more.
Don’t miss an update—join our weekly newsletter below.