RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.EPA Must Examine Effects of Clean Air Act Regulations on Jobs
By Vaneeta Chintamaneni, The National Law Review.
Under a recent summary judgment decision from a federal district judge, the EPA must continuously examine the effects that certain Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations have on employment in the coal industry specifically and other industries more broadly. This means the EPA will be subject to increased requirements before taking action under the CAA. The ruling also suggests that additional requirements could be imposed on the EPA under similar provisions in other environmental statutes, such as the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and CERCLA.
Murray Energy’s Lawsuit Against the EPA
The ruling arises from a March 24, 2014 lawsuit filed by coal company Murray Energy and its affiliates and subsidiaries (Murray Energy) against the EPA in the District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. The lawsuit alleged, and the court agreed, that the EPA failed to conduct any employment analyses required by Section 321(a) when administering and enforcing the CAA. Murray Energy wanted to force the EPA to examine whether its administration and enforcement of the CAA in recent years had led to job loss in the coal industry. It also sought to prevent the EPA from approving new regulations affecting the coal industry until it conducted a job analysis.
US to unveil decarbonization strategy during Morocco climate talks next month
By Robert Walton, Utility Dive.
Dive Brief:
- The United States will reveal its decarbonization strategy at a United Nations climate summit in Morocco next month, and the lead negotiator says carbon capture and natural gas will play a role for years to come, Bloomberg BNA reports.
- U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing said at a conference recently that as far out as 2050, natural gas generation and carbon capture on those plants would remain a part of the strategy alongside renewable energy.
- At the Paris climate negotiations last year, almost 200 nations agreed to keep the impact of climate change below 2 degrees Celsius. For the United States, that will mean cutting emissions 26% by 2025.
UN to deliver climate plan for shipping in 2023
By Ed King, Climate Change News.
The UN’s shipping body will produce a strategy to curb greenhouse gases by 2023, over 170 countries agreed at talks in London on Friday.
An initial plan from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is expected to be released by 2018, which will feed into a UN-led assessment of global climate policies.
But under proposals submitted in London this week, governments will only finalise the strategy after a three year project to capture ship-level fuel use data, which starts in 2019.
Idaho solid waste board votes to back methane electricity generator at landfill
By Nathan Brown, MagicValley.com.
BURLEY — That trash you tossed without a second thought could soon be powering your home.
A plan is in the works to turn methane gas produced at the Milner Butte landfill into electricity.
The Southern Idaho Solid Waste Board of Directors voted Wednesday to move forward with a plan to build a generator at the landfill, said Josh Bartlome, SISW executive director.
EPA: 1.67 billion RINs generated in September
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for September, announcing 1.67 billion RINs were generated during the month, including 17.14 million D3 cellulosic biofuel RINs and 99,563 D7 cellulosic diesel RINs. A net total of nearly 14.26 billion RINs were generated during the first nine months of the year.
More than 17.44 million D3 cellulosic RINs were generated in September, bringing the net total for the first nine months of the year to 125.17 million. More than 2.84 million D3 RINs have been generated for ethanol, with 73.79 million generated for renewable compressed natural gas and 50.37 million for renewable liquefied natural gas. Nearly 113.26 million D3 RINS have been generated domestically, with 13.75 million generated by importers.
Landfill Gas to Provide Power in Northwest Indiana
By Dan McGowan, Inside Indiana Business.
A new landfill gas-to-energy generating plant has opened in White County. The operation near Buffalo is the 16th of its kind from Indianapolis-based Wabash Valley Power Association.
Waste Management and Republic Services receive recognition for leading in efforts to reverse climate change
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Both Waste Management and Republic Services have been recognized by the nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) on its 2016 Climate A List for climate change mitigation efforts.
- The report analyzed data from 1,089 companies, and 193 companies made the top list. Other notable companies include Apple, Nissan, Sony and General Motors along with many other brand names.
- According to CDP, the overall list of companies that reported data represent 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of those companies, 85% have set emissions reductions goals, though the majority of those goals are for 2030 and beyond which CDP notes is a sign that more long-term planning could be done.
Idaho Gas-to-Energy Project Inches Forward
By Madelyn Beck, Idaho Mountain Express.
A proposal to turn gas at the Milner Butte Landfill in southern Idaho into usable energy is one step closer to reality.
The Southern Idaho Solid Waste Landfill Gas to Energy project has been in the works since October 2014, according to project planners. Most recently, those planners have been giving county commissioners a detailed project overview to help those counties make a decision today, Oct. 26, on whether to move forward or cancel the project.
Josh Bartlome, executive director and CEO of the Southern Idaho Solid Waste District, told Blaine County commissioners last week that the landfill project is expected to produce enough energy to start making money by 2023. By 2038, Bartlome said he expects the project to have produced a net income of between $5 million and $9 million, depending on the choice of generator.
USDA awards $327 million in REAP funding
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
On Oct. 25, the USDA announced it is investing more than $300 million to help hundreds of small businesses adopt renewable energy sources or implement more efficient energy options. The investment includes $327 million to support 423 businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program and a $68 million loan awarded to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative of Johnson City, Texas, through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program to fund system-wide energy efficiency improvements to assist a rural portion of the co-op’s service territory.
"Cutting our energy waste is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to help families save money on their energy bills while reducing harmful carbon pollution. Over the course of nearly eight years, the Obama Administration has taken strong actions to advance energy efficiency in our homes and businesses," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Through efficiency upgrades and private-sector partnerships, America has been able to cut its carbon emissions, create jobs and save families hundreds of dollars at the pump and on their utility bills every year. The Rural Energy for America Program alone has helped roughly 15,000 rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers improve their bottom lines by installing renewable energy systems and energy efficiency solutions. When businesses lower their energy costs, they are also able to expand their services and contribute to stronger local economies."
The Trump and Clinton campaigns finally had a substantive climate debate
By Brad Plumer, Vox.
We heard virtually nothing about climate change in the presidential debates this year. The moderators avoided the topic like an ancient Egyptian curse, and Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton rarely delved into energy policy.
So for those interested in the issue, might I suggest an alternative? On Tuesday, the University of Richmond School of Law hosted a wide-ranging debate between the two campaigns’ energy advisers. On Team Clinton: Trevor Houser, an analyst at the Rhodium Group. On Team Trump: Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
The hour-long debate featured its share of depressing nonsense, like when Cramer waffled on whether humans are causing global warming. (Spoiler: They are.) But the discussion was genuinely substantive, and the advisers delved into issues like the Paris climate deal, nuclear power, and (oh yes) transmission policy. You can watch it all HERE.
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