RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.State renewable energy mandates are producing enormous benefits
By David Roberts, Vox.
Much has been made of the rapid rise of renewable energy in the US, but the policy workhorse behind it does not get nearly enough attention or credit.
I'm talking about the renewable portfolio standard (RPS): state laws that mandate a certain minimum amount of renewable energy in the electricity mix, rising over time.
Some 29 states and DC now have RPSs in place.
These standards were mostly passed in the late 1990s and 2000s, when (not coincidentally) Democrats had more power in state governments.
US State of the Union 2016: selected remarks on energy and climate change
By Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest.
“Gas under two bucks a gallon ain’t bad, either.”
So let’s talk about the future, and four big questions that we as a country have to answer—regardless of who the next President is, or who controls the next Congress.
First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy?
Second, how do we make technology work for us, and not against us—especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like climate change?
Ontario region invests in anaerobic digestion to reach diversion goal
By Arlene Karidis, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- The Region of Peel, near Toronto, will invest in anaerobic digestion to convert organic waste into natural gas. This option was the decided alternative to building a larger waste-to-energy plant in Brampton, OH that would have converted 300,000 to 400,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste to steam or electricity annually.
- The intention of the anaerobic digestion project is to help Peel reach a 75% landfill diversion target by 2034.
- Peel now diverts about 46% of its solid waste from landfill but, after the anaerobic digester system launches in 2021, the region hopes to bump its diversion rate to 60%.
What the Tax Credit Extension Means for the Waste Industry’s Conversion to CNG
By Allan Gerlat, Waste 360.
The waste and recycling industry may move more aggressively into compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, now that federal tax credits for initiatives including alternative fuels have been officially extended by Congress and President Obama.
Obama signed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH) Dec. 18. The PATH Act includes a broad range of tax extenders, including those for alternative fuels, which were strongly supported by two of the industry’s primary associations, the Washington-based National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and the Silver Spring, Md.-based Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
Energy in the State of the Union
By Eric Wolff, Politico.
STATE OF THE SOTU: President Obama will make his final State of the Union speech tomorrow night, and despite a preview video promising the “this address will be for you,” the White House is being tight-lipped about the specifics of the speech. Observers aren't expecting any big energy-related announcements, not least because Obama rolled out many of his top policy goals last year. While climate and energy issues may get less attention this year compared to previous speeches, greens see an opportunity for the president to tout his climate change accomplishments, including EPA's regulations for power plants and the Paris global warming deal, in the speech.
Read more...
CARB releases FAQ on new LCFS regulations in advance of deadline
By Susanne Retka Schill, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
With a Jan. 31 deadline approaching, the California Air Resources Board released an FAQ to answer frequently asked questions about the changes to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. CARB has said that those meeting the January deadline will be guaranteed a carbon intensity (CI) rating this year. Ethanol pathways will be processed in the first batch, scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter, followed by biodiesel to be completed by the end of the second quarter, and then other fuels. Those missing that deadline will be processed later, and may not get a recertified CI rating before the deadline for all legacy ratings to sunset at the end of 2016.
The 43-page document provides answers to multiple questions regarding the features of the readopted LCFS, such as what documentation will be required to establish the distillers grains yield per gallon of ethanol produced, which is to be calculated on a dry basis, or how emissions from the production of corn oil bound for biodiesel production are to be handled.
Ontario Releases Progress Reports to the Public for the First Time
By Ontario Office of the Premier.
January 11 - Ontario's cabinet ministers today released progress reports detailing how the government is delivering on the priorities laid out in Premier Kathleen Wynne's mandate letters.
As part of the Premier's Open Government Initiative, the cabinet ministers' reports were published online, bringing Ontario closer to its goal of becoming the most open and transparent government in Canada.
In September 2014, the Premier's mandate letters to ministers -- 30 in total -- were made available to the public for the first time. Mandate letters outline the specific priorities for each member of cabinet and their ministry. Ministers were directed to work with one another on overarching priorities such as building modern infrastructure, poverty reduction, skills training and growing the economy.
Top 4 things to know as Oregon Clean Fuels comes online
By Taylor W. Anderson, The Bulletin.
SALEM — Misconceptions abound about Oregon’s fuel policy that’s become the bane of oil companies and bastion of environmentalists, in part because of the policy’s complexity.
The cutting-edge policy is known as a low carbon fuel standard or Clean Fuels because it aims to “clean up” transportation fuel over the coming 10 years.
And while supporters — from lawmakers to the governor and environmental groups — have pegged the program as a way to clean up Oregon’s air, the Clean Fuels program will, at best, directly prevent only a small fraction of carbon from being emitted over its 10-year life.
Hawaii Gas eyes renewable natural gas
By Bioenergy Insight.
Clean energy firm Hawaiii Gas is looking to replace most of its current fuel base with renewable natural gas.
According to Pacific Business News, the company, which is owned by US-based infrastructure specialist Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation, has issued a request for proposals to purchase raw biogas and, or, bio-methane, also referred to as renewable natural gas, in Hawaii or elsewhere.
Hawaii Gas is trying to figure out where it can get these sources from and at what price, according to the report.
Hawaii Gas seeks to add up to 20% biofuels to portfolio - report
By Militsa Mancheva, SeeNews Renewables.
January 11 - Clean energy company Hawaii Gas is exploring various options either to purchase or develop raw biogas and bio-methane, which will account for 15%-20% of its total fuel supply, Pacific Business News said Friday.
The gas utility, part of US investment fund Macquarie Infrastructure Company LLC (NYSE:MIC), has issued a request for proposals to buy renewable natural gas in or outside the state for between five and 20 years, business development and corporate affairs senior vice president, Joseph Boivin, was quoted as saying. Interested suppliers are to submit their proposals by March 7.
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