RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.EPA proposes to deny change in RFS point of obligation
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
On Nov. 10, the U.S. EPA proposed to deny several petitions requesting the agency redefine the point of obligation under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). A 60-day public comment period on the decision is scheduled to be opened soon.
On June 13, Valero Energy Corp. issued a petition to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy asking the agency to redefine obligated party as “the entity that holds title to the gasoline or diesel fuel, immediately prior to the sale from the bulk transfer/terminal system…to a wholesaler, retailer or ultimate consumer.” Refiners and importers are currently considered obligated parties under the RFS. Valero also made a similar request in February.
Waste Management names new CEO, marking end of Steiner's 12-year run
By Kristin Musulin, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Waste Management announced it has named James C. Fish Jr. as the company's new president and CEO, marking the end of David Steiner's 12-year run as the company's chief executive. Fish has also been elected to the company's Board of Directors.
- W. Robert Reum, non-executive chairman of the board, said in a press release that Fish was chosen for the position because he "has a deep understanding of ... strategy, impressive financial and operational acumen and strong support from employees, customers and investors."
- It is unclear if David Steiner will have any involvement with the company following this shift in leadership. Waste Management is now in search for a new CFO, but Fish will continue to lead financial operations in the interim.
Rumpke partners with Energy Developments for Ohio LFG project
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Rumpke has teamed up with Energy Developments to build a landfill gas-to-energy facility at the Brown County Landfill in Georgetown, OH, as reported by Waste 360.
- Gas is currently collected through 80 wells at the site and flared. The new facility will use this gas to produce 4.8 MW of electricity, enough to power about 3,000 homes, that will go to American Municipal Power.
- The $8 million facility, which will be owned and operated by Energy Developments, is expected to be operational in April 2017.
More farms generating renewable energy, report finds
By Sara Wyant, AgriPulse.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 - From 2007 to 2012, the number of farms generating revenue from on-farm renewable energy more than doubled to nearly 58,000 - or 2.7 percent of U.S. farms. That's according to a recent report from USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), “Trends in U.S. Agriculture's Consumption and Production of Energy: Renewable Power, Shale Energy, and Cellulosic Biomass.”
Farmers and ranchers are also profiting by leasing mineral rights and wind rights. ERS did not include the roughly 16,600 farms that leased wind rights to others or that produced ethanol and biodiesel on the farm in its total.
Clean Energy Has Arrived; Corporate Climate Disclosure Approaching
By Jeff McMahon, Forbes.
The transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is so established already that it would be difficult to reverse it, an official from the White House Office of Management and Budget said Monday.
And companies representing most of the world’s capital realize it, said Ali Zaidi, associate director for natural resources, energy, and science at OMB, which watchdogs climate risk for the government’s $440 billion in annual purchases.
“We’ve gotten to a point on clean energy where the costs are coming down so quickly, the uptake is happening so rapidly, and the jobs are so clear and palpable for communities all around the United States that it’s hard for the political economy to swing around to the other side,” Zaidi said at an Atlantic Council forum on corporate disclosure of climate risk.
$8 million trash to gas to energy project beginning in Brown County
By Wendy Mitchell, The Ledger Independent.
GEORGETOWN, Ohio – Mountains of trash are being turned into utility resources in Brown County, Ohio.
On Thursday, state and local officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Rumpke Brown County landfill, designating the site as the place where methane from the decomposition of trash will be turned into usable electricity.
According to Rumpke officials, the approximately $8 million plant should be operational in late spring 2017.
Carbon offsets from biogas are part of a new partnership to foster Québec's green economy
By Gaz Metro, via The Province.
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 3, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Gaz Métro is proud to announce multi-year agreements with WSP Canada Inc. to purchase offset credits generated by the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through landfill biogas collection and destruction systems operated by WSP at the Mont-Laurier, Saint-Raymond, Rivière-Rouge and Saint-Flavien landfills. The partnership marks a further step towards attaining the environmental goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Québec.
The technology installed by WSP will bring about a permanent reduction of GHG emissions equal to some 140,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (t CO2 eq.). WSP operates collection and destruction systems for the biogas generated at each landfill. The collection systems carry the gas to a pumping station, after which it is destroyed. Overall, the process results in significant reductions of GHG emissions at the sites.
Why Corporate Fleet Owners Should Test Drive Renewable Natural Gas
By Jessica Jones Hardcastle, Environmental Leader.
Electric vehicles got a boost this week as the White House, EV charging firms and vehicle manufacturers including General Motors, BMW and Nissan agreed to build 48 national EV charging networks in 35 states.
But there’s another low-carbon fuel that, while it continues to fly — or drive — under the radar, could have big cost and emissions benefits for corporate and municipal fleets. Renewable natural gas has the potential to reduce the US heavy transport sector’s reliance on diesel and gasoline. And it’s compatible with engines that run on natural gas.
Renewable natural gas, which is made from methane emitted as organic wastes decompose, is also used for electricity generation and heating, but proponents say its best use is to fuel buses and heavy-duty trucks. According to the California Air Resources Board, it is the lowest-carbon fuel available.
China again criticizes Trump’s climate plan
By Devin Henry, The Hill.
Chinese officials on Friday slammed Donald Trump’s climate plan, the second time this week the country has lashed out against the Republican presidential nominee.
“If Trump were to insist on doing things his own way, then he would pay a heavy price both politically and diplomatically," said Zou Ji, the deputy director of the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy, Reuters reports.
Canada unveils national plan to combat food waste
By Kristen Musulin, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Canada's National Zero Waste Council unveiled a National Food Waste Reduction Strategy at the sixth annual Zero Waste Conference in Vancouver on Thursday, as reported by the Vancouver Sun.
- The plan aligns with the U.S. goal of reaching 50% food waste reduction by 2030. The council intends to reach this goal through new government policies, innovation in technology and community infrastructure, and shifting consumer behavior.
- The council also aims to introduce a federal tax incentive to encourage food donations, as well as combat confusion around date labeling.
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