RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.EPA chief voices cautious hope as Trump inauguration nears
Although Trump and Obama agendas differ, some forces tilt toward continuity, Gina McCarthy of the Environmental Protection Agency says.
By Mark Trumbull and Zach Colman, Christian Science Monitor.
DECEMBER 5, 2016 WASHINGTON—Outgoing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy sounded a note of hope Monday in response to concerns that US environmental policy could face upheaval as control shifts from a Democratic to Republican presidency.
She pointed to two key factors – the momentum of marketplace forces and the tendency of all Americans to support clean air and water – that could tilt the Environmental Protection Agency under Donald Trump toward a bit more continuity than many observers may be expecting.
Five potential Trump EPA picks
By Timothy Cama, The Hill.
President-elect Donald Trump is due to announce “almost all” of his remaining Cabinet picks in the coming week, likely including his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator.
The nominee, who is subject to Senate confirmation, would oversee the 15,000-employee agency that writes and enforces regulations on air pollution, water pollution, climate change, land contamination and more.
The EPA head would also be responsible for Trump's aggressive deregulatory push. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to roll back all of President Obama’s climate agenda, including the Clean Power Plan, which limits carbon dioxide from power plants.
Bioenergy Technologies Office Announces Notice of Intent for the Optimization of Integrated Biorefineries
Via U.S. Bioenergy Technologies Office.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled, “Integrated Biorefinery Optimization.”
This FOA will support research and development to increase the performance efficiencies of biorefineries resulting in continuous operation and production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower at prices competitive with fossil-derived equivalents. This could be accomplished by improvements in ensuring reliable, continuous, robust handling and feeding of solid materials into reactors under various operating conditions; decreased capital and operating expenses by improved separation processes; production of higher-value products from waste or other undervalued streams; and analytical modeling of handling and feeding of solid materials into reactors.
Applications that address these challenging operations and convert woody biomass, agricultural residues, dedicated energy crops, algae, municipal solid waste, sludge from wastewater treatment plants, and wet wastes into biofuels, biochemicals, and bioproducts will be considered under this funding opportunity.
Gov. Scott Walker Announces Need for Biogas Systems in Wisconsin's Agriculture Sector
By Jim Lundstrom, Peninsula Pulse.
An air of mystery surrounded Gov. Scott Walker’s Nov. 17 visit to Heritage Farm in Kewaunee.
Robert Weidner, chair of the Kewaunee County Board, was informed that the governor was visiting but was not told why.
“I knew it was ag-related, but that’s all they told me,” he said.
“It was kind of shrouded in secrecy,” said Rep. Joel Kitchens. “They didn’t even tell me what it was about. They just said they have an announcement.”
In his surprise visit, Walker announced that he had requested the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to collaborate on recommendations by Dec. 1 that, according to a press release from the Governor’s office, “propose a tangible private sector response linking the application of digester technology to environmentally sensitive areas of Wisconsin, specifically areas with high concentrations of dairy cattle. A Request for Proposal (RFP) laying the groundwork for actionable items should be ready to release publically [sic] in January.”
Walnut, Mississippi to get Air Liquide biogas purification plant
By The Daily Journal.
WALNUT – Air Liquide plans to construct and operate a landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas purification plant in Walnut that will enable the conversion of the methane emitted by waste to a renewable energy capable of heating about 4,500 homes per year.
Air Liquide, based in Paris, France will design, build and operate its first LFG-to-RNG purification plant in the U.S. at the Northeast Mississippi Landfill, which is owned by the Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Management Authority. It is operated by national solid waste company Waste Connections Inc. and receives approximately 350,000 tons of waste per year.
Why You Should Care about Low Carbon Fuels and Vehicle Initiatives
By Tammy Klein, The Energy Collective.
When I talk about “low carbon fuels and vehicles” (LCFV) initiatives what am I really talking about and why should it matter to you? If you’re a first-gen biofuels, advanced biofuels or advanced alternative fuels producer, why should you care about fuel economy or electric vehicles? If you’re an electric vehicle producer or infrastructure company, why should you care about biofuels? If you’re a refiner or in upstream E&P, why should you care about air pollution, car bans or connected, autonomous driving? If you’re an automaker, why should you care about any of the above? Let me back up and explain, drawing from my November report to my clients, because it’s critical for all these stakeholders.
By Tammy Klein, The Energy Collective.
When I talk about “low carbon fuels and vehicles” (LCFV) initiatives what am I really talking about and why should it matter to you? If you’re a first-gen biofuels, advanced biofuels or advanced alternative fuels producer, why should you care about fuel economy or electric vehicles? If you’re an electric vehicle producer or infrastructure company, why should you care about biofuels? If you’re a refiner or in upstream E&P, why should you care about air pollution, car bans or connected, autonomous driving? If you’re an automaker, why should you care about any of the above? Let me back up and explain, drawing from my November report to my clients, because it’s critical for all these stakeholders
Despite a prolonged period of low crude oil prices, citizens and policymakers in many countries have never been more serious or committed to combating climate change in all sectors, including transport. We know this. The Paris Agreement entered into force in what seemed like a record time – less than a year after it was negotiated. Transport currently contributes 23% of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 20% of energy use and is expected to double by 2030, according to IEA. Passenger transport accounts for nearly 60% of total transport energy demand, and 60% of this is in OECD member countries right now.
Decarbonizing transport is a major challenge with some strong and powerful advocates calling for a single one-shot solution (electrification). That’s something that needs to be watched closely by all the stakeholders. The reality is that multiple strategies will be required to achieve decarbonization with the understanding that fossil fuel demand will remain in place for some time, especially in emerging economies, and that it could get “cleaner.”
California Releases Initial Plan to Achieve Ambitious 2030 Climate Goals
By California State Air Resources Board.
SACRAMENTO - Moving to limit the state’s dangerous dependence on oil and exposure to toxic air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released its initial draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 – the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state’s successful efforts to reach its more immediate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and outlines the most effective ways to reach the new 2030 goal, including continuing California’s Cap-and-Trade program.
California is reducing emissions through a series of actions, innovative solutions and advances in technology, including cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and zero emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, Cap-and-Trade regulations, waste diversion from landfills, water conservation and improvements to energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The result is improved public health, a growing economy with more green jobs and better clean energy choices for Californians.
By California State Air Resources Board.
SACRAMENTO - Moving to limit the state’s dangerous dependence on oil and exposure to toxic air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released its initial draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 – the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state’s successful efforts to reach its more immediate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and outlines the most effective ways to reach the new 2030 goal, including continuing California’s Cap-and-Trade program.
California is reducing emissions through a series of actions, innovative solutions and advances in technology, including cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and zero emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, Cap-and-Trade regulations, waste diversion from landfills, water conservation and improvements to energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The result is improved public health, a growing economy with more green jobs and better clean energy choices for Californians.
“Now more than ever, the nation – and the world – are looking to California for leadership on climate change and air quality. Denial is not an option. We must plan, invest and transform,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “This draft plan builds on California’s decade-long success in transforming the state’s economy. It sets in place a public process to develop the policies that will create continued opportunities for innovation and investment, benefit disadvantaged communities and ensure California continues to lead the fight against the global threat of climate change.”
Assembly Bill 32, signed in 2006, set California’s initial goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and directed CARB to develop a climate change scoping plan – to be updated every five years – detailing the specific measures needed to reach the target. Today’s draft plan, required by the Governor’s April 2015 Executive Order, updates the previous scoping plan to account for the new 2030 target codified in Senate Bill 32 and reflects input from 18 public workshops and community meetings, numerous state government agencies and CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.
The draft plan analyzes continuing the Cap-and-Trade program, which is currently being used to reach the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. The analysis shows how Cap-and-Trade provides more certainty that the state will meet the 2030 goals even if other measures fall short. The Cap-and-Trade program funds the California Climate Change Investments program, which provides funds for community, local, regional and statewide projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions – with at least 35 percent of proceeds to be invested in disadvantaged communities. To date, approximately $3.4 billion has been invested.
More than 60 businesses testify against extending Ohio's freeze on renewable energy
By John Funk, The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- The two-year battle over green energy standards has slammed the development of wind and solar, cost businesses a lot of money initially invested here and driven some companies out of the state, a crowd of green business proponents told Ohio lawmakers Tuesday.
More than 60 witnesses showed up to testify before the Ohio Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. All were opposed to Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican.
By John Funk, The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- The two-year battle over green energy standards has slammed the development of wind and solar, cost businesses a lot of money initially invested here and driven some companies out of the state, a crowd of green business proponents told Ohio lawmakers Tuesday.
More than 60 witnesses showed up to testify before the Ohio Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. All were opposed to Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican.
Committee chair Troy Balderson, a Zanesville Republican, limited witnesses to speaking for just two minutes. Written versions of the testimony can be found on the committee's website.
Opponents say the bill and its companion legislation, House Bill 554, would, in effect, extend for three more years the two-year freeze on green standards that lawmakers imposed in 2014 after the state's utilities complained.
The legislation would require that green energy would account for 12.5 percent of the electricity power companies sell in Ohio by 2027. The renewable energy could come from Ohio or contiguous states.
The standard in Ohio today is 2.5 percent, the same as it was in 2014, when the legislature intervened to freeze the annually increasing mandate.
Because Gov. John Kasich has threatened to veto an extension of the freeze, the GOP leadership has written the legislation so that it makes compliance with the standards a voluntary goal for the next three years, continuing to stall wind and solar development.
EPA: Cellulosic RIN generation reaches 17.79 million in October
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for October, reporting that nearly 1.66 billion RINs were generated during the month, including nearly 17.79 million cellulosic RINs.
Nearly 17.56 million D3 cellulosic biofuel RINs were generated during the month, bringing the net total for the first 10 months of the year 142.82 million. Nearly 3.05 million D3 RINs have been generated for ethanol, with 85.47 million generated for renewable compressed natural gas and 56.14 million for renewable liquefied natural gas. Nearly 129.16 million D3 RINs have been generated domestically, with 15.5 million generated by importers.
Connecticut's first food waste biogas plant nears completion
By Anna Simet, Biomass Magazine.
A Connecticut biogas plant is nearing the finish line and will start up by the end of the year, according to Brian Paganini, vice president of Quantum Energy.
After about three years of development, Quantum will begin startup by the end of the year, Paganini said, potentially reaching fully operations in March. “The plant meets some of the state’s goals with its program to divert food out of the waste stream, and it meets a critical infrastructure gap in Connecticut, which has a goal to reduce, reuse and recycle 60 percent of its food waste by 2024.”
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