Wisconsin county issues RFP for landfill gas project

By Waste Today Staff.

Dane County, Wisconsin, is requesting proposals for fabrication, delivery, installation and start-up of a biogas cleaning system to convert landfill gas (LFG) into high-Btu biomethane at the Dane County Landfill Site #2, located at 7102 U.S. Highway 12, Madison, Wisconsin, per information provided by the U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP). Only firms with capabilities, experience and expertise with similar projects should submit proposals. Performance and payment bond are required for this project. 

Dane County will be the owner/operator of the biogas cleaning system and retain rights to all the biomethane. The biogas cleaning system will be designed to have a flexible operating range, with a minimum flow of 500 scfm and maximum of 1,750 scfm LFG, and must be easily expanded in the future, up to 2,600 scfm LFG. The primary function of the biogas cleaning equipment will be to achieve the pipeline quality standards set by ANR Pipeline Co. 

Dane County has a power purchase agreement expiring in 2019 for LFG electricity produced at Site #2. The County plans for the new pipeline injection project to replace the electricity project at the beginning of 2019.

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New Study Improves Understanding of Natural Gas Vehicle Methane Emissions

By Joe Rudek and Jason Mathers, Environmental Defense Fund.

Many commercial fleet operators have considered switching their fleet vehicles from diesel to natural gas to take advantage of the growing abundance of natural gas and reduced emissions. Natural gas trucks have the potential to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions (NOx) from freight trucks and buses.

Yet, adopting the emission reduction technologies and practices needed to curb the methane escaping during the production, transport and delivery of natural gas is critical to unlock the full environmental potential of these vehicles. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas released to the atmosphere at every step from production wells to the vehicle fuel tanks. Even small amounts of methane emitted across the natural gas supply chain can undermine the climate benefit of fuel-switching vehicles to natural gas for some period of time, as EDF research has shown.

A newly published scientific study, led by researchers with West Virginia University at the Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions, measured methane emissions from heavy-duty natural gas-powered vehicles and refueling stations, and is greatly expanding what we know about emissions from natural gas-fueled vehicles. The study is the first project in EDF’s coordinated methane research series to analyze where and by how much methane emissions occur during natural gas end uses.

The WVU study found that emissions from the vehicle tailpipe and engine crankcase were the highest methane sources, representing roughly 30 and 39% (respectively) of total pump to wheels (PTW) emissions. Fortunately, engines with closed crankcases have recently been certified by EPA, avoiding the single largest source of methane emissions from these vehicles.

Fueling station methane emissions were reported to be relatively low, representing about 12% of total PTW emissions. WVU researchers based the fueling station emission estimates on the assumption that liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations have sufficient sales volume to effectively manage boil off gases, or the fuel lost as vapors when the LNG heats above its boiling point. Without alternative methods to manage boil off gas, low sales volume risks large methane releases.

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Energy-sector CO2 to stagnate without Clean Power Plan — EIA

By Emily Holden, E&E News.

Coal use and energy-sector carbon emissions in the United States would both flatline without the Obama administration's climate standards for power plants, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration outlook released yesterday.

Natural gas and renewable power would grow to meet increasing power demand, although the specific levels will depend on how much each cost, the annual report notes. Overall, many EIA cases suggest the country could become a net energy exporter in the 2020s.

The study's baseline case assumes existing laws and regulations will be in place, although President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have sworn to reverse climate action in ways that could greatly alter the independent agency's projections.

"There's a lot of nuances in policy changes," said EIA chief Adam Sieminski. "Until we see a clear pattern of what both the Congress and the executive branch are going to do, I think you have to stick with EIA's existing set of side cases."

EIA has received some criticism for assuming in its business-as-usual case that the Clean Power Plan will move forward even though it faces court challenges and now will likely be shot down by the Trump administration. Projections from EIA traditionally assume current policies will continue, although alternative cases explore what else might happen.

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Senators of biofuel states have 'positive meeting' with EPA nominee Scott Pruitt

By Joseph Morton, World-Herald Bureau, via Omaha World Herald.

WASHINGTON — Nebraska and Iowa Republican senators seemed satisfied as they emerged Thursday from a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, arranged the sit-down to discuss the importance of renewable fuels with Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has been critical of policies such as the Renewable Fuel Standard in the past.

Grassley and other senators indicated they liked what they heard.

“It was a very positive meeting,” Grassley told reporters as he stood next to Pruitt. “As far as I know, every senator was very satisfied with the answers we got.”

Pruitt declined to answer reporters’ questions.

Asked whether he’ll support Pruitt’s nomination, Grassley offered his standard line that he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to decide.

“There’s been nothing at this point that would discourage me from voting for it,” he said.

In addition to the four Nebraska and Iowa senators, the meeting included senators from South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri and Kansas.

Grassley said Pruitt offered not just reassuring words on renewable fuels but general support for the rule of law. That echoed comments from other senators in the meeting.

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API wants to 'change the conversation' under Trump, Pruitt

By Spencer Chase, AgriPulse.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2017 - American Petroleum Institute CEO Jack Gerard sees 2017 as a big moment in the life of the energy industry, and he hopes he has allies in the incoming administration.

Speaking at API's annual state of American energy event in Washington, Gerard said the industry is poised to have a banner 2017, but only if Congress and the administration permit it.

“For the first time in our lifetime, we can now say that North America has the potential to become a net energy exporter,” Gerard said in his speech. “That's a revolutionary change, a significant shift from where we were just a few short years ago.”

Gerard said for that to happen, the energy industry - oil and gas production in particular - will need help in the form of regulatory relief. He said there have been 145 “regulations and other executive actions” the industry has been subjected to in the “last few years,” but the new year and a new Congress provide “an opportunity to change the national conversation.”

“We need to look at the regulatory regimes be it the Endangered Species Act or (the National Environmental Policy Act), whatever it might be to determine what needs to be done to regulate smartly and with common sense, but yet achieve our potential as a world energy superpower,” Gerard told reporters after his speech.

One thing API will continue to fight into the future is the Renewable Fuel Standard, a policy requiring the increased use of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the American fuel supply. API and other oil and gas groups have been opposed to increases in RFS requirements, proposing instead to cap renewable fuel blending requirements at 9.7 percent of gasoline demand.

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Methane-to-energy generator commissioned in Easton, MD

By The Star Democrat.

EASTON — Easton Utilities officially commissioned a generator that converts methane gas into green energy.

“This project is mutually beneficial for the environment, our customers and the town of Easton,” said Hugh E. Grunden, president and CEO of Easton Utilities.

Easton Utilities purchased a used generator from another landfill, which created a cost-effective solution, Easton Utilities said in a press release. The expected life of the project in Easton is expected to last eight to 10 years, depending on the landfill’s ability to produce gas.

Currently, landfill gas is extracted continuously and most of the gas is sent to the generator, which can produce up to one megawatt of electricity — enough to power about 700 homes.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), methane gas is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the U.S. from human activities. It is one of the four greenhouse gasses the EPA has identified that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

Maryland Environmental Service (MES) installed compressors at the landfill and is handling the logistics regarding supply and flow.

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House GOP to prioritize coal, methane rules for repeal

By Timothy Cama, The Hill.

House Republicans plan to make Obama administration rules on coal mining and methane emissions among the first regulations they work to repeal.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Wednesday said the GOP plans first to reform the way the executive branch writes regulations, and then to go after specific ones, with the coal and methane rules prioritized.

“While we haven’t yet determined what needs to be repealed first, I expect to start with swift action on at least on the Stream Protection Rule and methane emissions standards, both of which are limits to our energy production,” McCarthy said in a speech on the House floor.

“This process won’t be completed quickly, but as we remove harmful regulations and change the structure of Washington, draining the bureaucratic swamp that undermines the will of the people, we can rebuild trust between the people and their government again,” he continued, borrowing from the “drain the swamp” message that President-elect Donald Trump has used to frame his actions against lobbyists.

The Stream Protection Rule from the Interior Department puts new limits and standards on how coal mining companies, both through mountaintop removal and other means, protects and restores streams.

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AFPM petitions EPA to waive portion of 2016 cellulosic RVO in accordance with any undersupply

By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.

On Dec. 28, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers filed a petition the U.S. EPA waive the 2016 renewable fuel standard (RFS) cellulosic volume obligation, citing a shortfall in 2016 cellulosic production.

Within the waiver, AFPM notes that the EPA set the 2016 renewable volume obligation (RFO) for cellulosic biofuel at 230 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. Data published by the U.S. EPA currently shows approximately 159.83 million cellulosic renewable identification numbers (RINs) were generated under the RFS program on a net basis during the first 11 months of 2016. Data for December is not yet available. From January through November 2016, 3.3 million D3 cellulosic RINs were generated for ethanol, along with 96.53 D3 RINs for renewable compressed natural gas, 61.36 million RINs for renewable liquefied natural gas, and 534,429 D7 cellulosic diesel RINs for cellulosic heating oil.

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Repealing the Clean Power Plan will bring more lawsuits, Democratic AGs warn

By Robert Walton, Utility Dive.

Dive Brief:

• Led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D), officials from 14 states and several cities have sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him not to scrap landmark climate rules that will cut emissions at existing power plants, the Hill reports. 
• The Clean Power Plan aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 32% by 2030, but Trump vowed months ago that he would dismantle the new restrictions.
• Schneiderman's letter appears to counter advice Trump's incoming administration received from more than two dozen states, outlining how the rules could be eliminated beginning on his first day in office.

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Pruitt begins Capitol tour amid Democratic opposition

By Niina Heikkinen, E&E News reporter.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R) is making the rounds on Capitol Hill this week in preparation for his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.

Pruitt met yesterday afternoon with outgoing Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and incoming Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).

The nominee and senators did not answer reporters' questions about the content of their discussion or give a date for the start of Pruitt's confirmation hearings.

"We had a good conversation, we did," said Inhofe.

In a statement, Barrasso said he enjoyed meeting with Pruitt.

"We had a good conversation focused on policy and reforms that are necessary at the agency. He has excellent insights on how to help the EPA better meet its mission of protecting the environment while growing the American economy," he said.

While a number of Republicans, including Inhofe, have embraced Pruitt's nomination, Senate Democrats are voicing concerns about how much the fossil fuel industry could influence the potential future head of U.S. EPA (Climatewire, Dec. 22, 2016).

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), sent a letter to Pruitt on Dec. 27, requesting more details about his connections with the oil and gas industry.

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