RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.USDA Secretary-Nominee Confirms Support for RFS
By The National Law Review.
During last week’s Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s confirmation hearing for former Governor Sonny Perdue to become Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), lawmakers questioned Perdue on his support for various programs affecting the agricultural sector, rural communities, and conservation efforts. Of particular note, when questioned by several members, Perdue indicated he will support and advocate for the Renewable Fuels Standard program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ohio House Passes Bill to Roll Back Renewable Energy Standards, Again
By Phil McKenna, Inside Climate News.
Legislation that would undo a renewable energy mandate in Ohio passed a key vote in the state House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill, turning Ohio's existing renewable energy requirements into voluntary standards, passed by a vote of 65-29.
That would be a large enough margin for the House to override a veto by Gov. John Kasich, but only if the Senate goes along.
By Phil McKenna, Inside Climate News.
Legislation that would undo a renewable energy mandate in Ohio passed a key vote in the state House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill, turning Ohio's existing renewable energy requirements into voluntary standards, passed by a vote of 65-29.
That would be a large enough margin for the House to override a veto by Gov. John Kasich, but only if the Senate goes along.
The current law, passed in 2008, requires utilities to get 12.5 percent of the electricity they sell from renewable energy sources by 2027. After an early fight, this deadline was put on hold from 2014 to the end of 2016. The current bill would continue to block the advance of the renewables mandate. The state met its current mandate of getting 2.5 percent of electricity from renewables in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available.
The new legislation, championed by the Republican-led House and supported by fossil fuel interests, would make the clean-energy quota voluntary and would weaken separate requirements for utilities' energy efficiency programs. Ratepayers would be able to opt out of paying for clean-energy programs.
The bill, a potentially significant setback for renewable energy in a key swing state with extensive fossil fuel development, is one of hundreds of state energy bills, both for and against renewables, that are being fought out nationwide this year even as the Trump administration seeks to bring back coal and promote fossil fuels.
Providing Clarity of Industry Terminology
By Marcus Gillette, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. Published in Biomass Magazine | March 29, 2017
“A definition is the enclosing a wilderness of idea within a wall of words.” Samuel Butler, 19th Century English author and poet.
Accomplished writers seem to cast a negative, narrow view on labeling terms with precise definitions. I respectfully disagree with that perspective, especially considering Oxford Dictionaries’ recently named “post-truth,” the 2016 word of the year. Definition of industry terminology matters in our sustainable biomass and bioenergy industries. Allow me to explain.
By Marcus Gillette, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. Published in Biomass Magazine | March 29, 2017
“A definition is the enclosing a wilderness of idea within a wall of words.” Samuel Butler, 19th Century English author and poet.
Accomplished writers seem to cast a negative, narrow view on labeling terms with precise definitions. I respectfully disagree with that perspective, especially considering Oxford Dictionaries’ recently named “post-truth,” the 2016 word of the year. Definition of industry terminology matters in our sustainable biomass and bioenergy industries. Allow me to explain.
I work for the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, representing the interests of the renewable natural gas (RNG) industry in North America. Having said that, whether you realize it or not, your understanding of what you just read (who I work for) may very well differ from another reader of this article on the other side of the country or across an ocean, or even from your fellow industry colleague in the office next door to you.
I have listened to speakers and watched presenters haphazardly substitute one industry term for another, as they move from one presentation slide to the next, leaving behind a bewildered audience. I have been in the middle of conversations with a new industry contact for up to half an hour before we realized that we were essentially speaking separate languages by using different industry terms to convey similar ideas. I know I’m not alone in this; colleagues have recounted similar stories.
Definitions matter. They provide clarity. Accurate communication and understanding result in effective conversations and facilitate efficient business dealings, especially in what is considered a post-truth era.
This is evidently even more relevant to those of us working in growing, niche industries, as we frequently battle to overcome misunderstanding. For example, meetings with regulatory agencies and with offices on Capitol Hill have not infrequently required rabbit trails to correct misunderstandings. “Don’t bioenergy, biogas and renewable natural gas refer to the same thing?”
To prevent future confusion, to save you future time and perhaps even future profits, the RNG Coalition and the American Biogas Council have collaborated in recent months in order to bring clarity to those working in North America whose roles cross over into the biogas and RNG industries (and any biomass, waste to energy, or connected policy and regulatory position). We have drafted, vetted and come together to put forth the following agreed upon definitions.
• Biogas is “a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons, primarily methane (CH4) gas, from the biological decomposition of organic materials.”
• Syngas is “a gas mixture composed primarily of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO), along with hydrocarbons from the thermochemical decomposition of organic or inorganic materials.”
• Conditioned biogas is “medium-Btu biogas that is stripped of some trace contaminants and water, but maintains the relative mix of CO2 and CH4.”
• Biomethane is “biogas-derived, high-Btu gas that is predominately methane after the biogas is upgraded to remove most of the contaminants and a majority of the CO2 and nitrogen (N2) found in biogas.”
• RNG is “biomethane that is upgraded to natural gas pipeline quality standards such that it may blend with, or substitute for, geologic natural gas.” *
• Renewable compressed natural gas (R-CNG) is “RNG that is compressed to a high pressure, often for use as a transportation fuel.”
• Renewable liquefied natural gas (R-LNG) is “RNG that is converted to liquid form, often for use as a transportation fuel.”
The distinctions in these definitions are important for regulatory bodies and policymakers to understand, especially as biogas, including landfill gas, is increasingly upgraded to biomethane for injection into natural gas pipelines as RNG, and eventually used as a transportation fuel in the form of R-CNG or R-LNG. While some natural gas pipelines have received RNG for decades, a number of pipelines are exploring, for the first time, how to make these interconnections feasible. The language used in pipeline interconnection agreements and pipeline gas specifications is critical. Studies on, or testing of, a raw biogas will show much different results as to constituent makeup and characteristics of biomethane, which has been cleaned and conditioned by natural gas treatment technologies.
Imprecise or incorrect use of one term in place of another can thus prevent sustainable gas from a landfill or anaerobic digestion facility from meeting a prescribed specification and reaching its highest and best use.
Providing precise definitions of terms can have positive impact beyond ensuring a clearly understood conversation or a well-educated audience. Using the same terminologies to enable the same comprehension of industry definitions in legal contracts, regulatory documents, and in drafting policy language could prevent legal issues and be critical in preserving the company’s bottom line.
Socrates is credited with saying that, “The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.” As an industry, we should further adopt this wisdom by standardizing and embracing these definitions.
Change isn't a spectator sport: Renewable energy can happen without Washington
By Matt Tomich, Contributor to The Hill.
You don't have to invoke any new political divisions to explain President Trump's roll-back of Obama's Clean Power Plan or his reversal of Obama's decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. Feeding fossil fuels and starving clean energy is established orthodoxy; it comes straight out of the Reagan and Bush playbooks.
In fact, the only thing that's new and evolving about Trump's energy policy is the context. Climate change impacts are accelerating visibly; so is the growth of renewable energy. With or without the administration's help, energy policy must evolve to reflect this new reality.
By Matt Tomich, Contributor to The Hill.
You don't have to invoke any new political divisions to explain President Trump's roll-back of Obama's Clean Power Plan or his reversal of Obama's decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. Feeding fossil fuels and starving clean energy is established orthodoxy; it comes straight out of the Reagan and Bush playbooks.
In fact, the only thing that's new and evolving about Trump's energy policy is the context. Climate change impacts are accelerating visibly; so is the growth of renewable energy. With or without the administration's help, energy policy must evolve to reflect this new reality.
Meanwhile, Trump’s proposals are old energy policy. His budget plan would gut Obama’s environmental and energy programs just as Reagan did Carter’s. Reagan slashed renewables R&D 85 percent, rolled back fuel efficiency standards and killed the wind investment tax credit, effectively strangling renewables in their cradle.
Trump’s "America First Energy Plan," released last month, is a reprise of the 2001 Bush/Cheney energy plan drafted by oil and gas insiders. Both emphasize increased fossil fuel production on federal lands while doubling down on the most polluting ones. Cheney paid lip service to tax credits for renewables, but dismissed them as “years down the road.” Trump’s plan omits the words “renewable energy” entirely.
Yet renewables are integral to America's energy mix, growing faster and creating more jobs than any other form of energy. New renewables installations outstrip new fossil fuel and nuclear capacity combined, more than two to one. Solar creates one of every 50 new American jobs — more than oil, gas and coal extraction combined. While nuclear, oil and coal are shrinking rapidly and natural gas is growing only slowly, renewables’ are surging. Solar grew twelvefold since 2011 — 17 times faster than the overall economy.
Governor Cuomo and Governor Brown Reaffirm Commitment to Exceeding Targets of the Clean Power Plan
March 28 - With the announcement that the United States will begin to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement reaffirming their ongoing commitment to exceed the targets of the Clean Power Plan and curb carbon pollution:
"Dismantling the Clean Power Plan and other critical climate programs is profoundly misguided and shockingly ignores basic science. With this move, the Administration will endanger public health, our environment and our economic prosperity.
March 28 - With the announcement that the United States will begin to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement reaffirming their ongoing commitment to exceed the targets of the Clean Power Plan and curb carbon pollution:
"Dismantling the Clean Power Plan and other critical climate programs is profoundly misguided and shockingly ignores basic science. With this move, the Administration will endanger public health, our environment and our economic prosperity.
"Climate change is real and will not be wished away by rhetoric or denial. We stand together with a majority of the American people in supporting bold actions to protect our communities from the dire consequences of climate change.
"Together, California and New York represent approximately 60 million people – nearly one-in-five Americans – and 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. With or without Washington, we will work with our partners throughout the world to aggressively fight climate change and protect our future."
New York and California lead the nation in ground-breaking policies to combat climate change. Both states – which account for roughly 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States – have adopted advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy programs to meet and exceed the requirements of the Clean Power Plan and have set some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in North America – 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. New York and California will continue to work closely together – and with other states – to help fill the void left by the federal government.
Xebec Receives New Purification Orders Worth Cdn 2.4 Million
By TheNewswire, via Stockhouse.
March 29, 2017 - Xebec Adsorption Inc. (“Xebec”), a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions announced today that it has received orders for CDN 2.4 million for four gas purification systems. Orders originate from China, Denmark and the USA, all to be delivered in 2017.
The first project will upgrade biogas from agricultural waste to renewable natural gas in Jiangsu Province in China. Xebec’s Chinese subsidiary will deliver the complete gas upgrading system and provide operations support for the first three years. This project was awarded after a competitive bidding process. Key for the customer to choose Xebec was the proven track record of Xebec’s pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system, which combines outstanding performance characteristics with high recovery, durability, electricity savings, and flexible operations. This project will go into operation in Q4/17.
It's Here: The Giant Anti-Climate Change Executive Order
By Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic.
In the final days of the Obama administration, scholars and journalists took stock of all that he had done to combat the dangerous rise of climate change. Barack Obama, they pronounced, had built up a surprisingly vast array of climate-concerned rules and guidelines across the government. He had turned the many policy-making tools of the many federal agencies toward preparing for this one imminent disaster.
Well, that was then.
By Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic.
In the final days of the Obama administration, scholars and journalists took stock of all that he had done to combat the dangerous rise of climate change. Barack Obama, they pronounced, had built up a surprisingly vast array of climate-concerned rules and guidelines across the government. He had turned the many policy-making tools of the many federal agencies toward preparing for this one imminent disaster.
Well, that was then.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will sign an executive order that will demolish his predecessor’s attempts to slow the pace of climate change. It is an omnibus climate directive that strikes across the federal government, reversing major rules that aim to restrict greenhouse-gas emissions while simultaneously instructing departments to ignore or downplay the risks of climate change in their decision-making.
It is exactly as bad as environmental advocates feared—with one exception. The order does not mention whether the United States should remain in the Paris Agreement, the international pact to address climate change ratified in 2015. Withdrawal from the treaty, a campaign promise of Trump’s, still divides his White House. (Reportedly, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are partial to staying in the agreement.)
Yet unless there are major advances in technology, it will be difficult for the United States to meet its commitments under Paris without using rules similar to the current regulations.
Hitachi Zosen to get biogas business underway in US
By EBR.
Hitachi Zosen (HZC) is set to construct an energy-from-waste facility in San Luis Obispo County, California, marking the start of its biogas business in the US.
The project will be carried by out by HZC, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), which is invovled in EPC and service business of energy from waste.
By EBR.
Hitachi Zosen (HZC) is set to construct an energy-from-waste facility in San Luis Obispo County, California, marking the start of its biogas business in the US.
The project will be carried by out by HZC, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), which is invovled in EPC and service business of energy from waste.
Project special purpose company (SPC), which was created by HZ group companies, will develop a Kompogas facility, which is expected to be cost around $22m.
The SPC will operate the plant to produce electricity, which will be sold to customers for 20 years.
In 2014, HZI purchased Kompogas EPC business from Axpo Kompogas Engineering ((Komeng). Later HZC group companies created Kompogas SLO to serve as Project SPC to manage the construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.
Commentary: As Trump threatens historic climate protections, Midwest Republican governors embrace clean energy economy
By Dick Munson, Midwest Energy News.
Any day now, President Trump is expected to issue an executive order attacking key climate and air standards, including the Clean Power Plan — America’s first-ever nationwide standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. His EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, has also questioned the scientific consensus that such man-made pollution is disrupting our climate. But the new administration does not reflect all Republicans’ attitudes toward the environment and cleaner power — far from it.
By Dick Munson, Midwest Energy News.
Any day now, President Trump is expected to issue an executive order attacking key climate and air standards, including the Clean Power Plan — America’s first-ever nationwide standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. His EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, has also questioned the scientific consensus that such man-made pollution is disrupting our climate. But the new administration does not reflect all Republicans’ attitudes toward the environment and cleaner power — far from it.
Concern about pollution — and its impact on our children’s health — has long linked Republicans and Democrats. Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, for instance, launched the conservation movement early in the last century, and, responding to cough-inducing smog and rivers catching on fire, President Richard Nixon signed the landmark Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Contrary to what you might see in the headlines, this bipartisan approach has continued in the months since November’s election, with four Republican governors in the politically critical Midwest advancing clean-energy measures. Consider Bruce Rauner, the Republican governor of Illinois, who signed bipartisan legislation to double the state’s energy efficiency portfolio and spur some $15 billion of investment in new solar and wind projects to be built in the Prairie State. That legislation, known as the Future Energy Jobs Act, will help achieve a 56 percent reduction in greenhouse-gas pollution from the power sector, almost twice what is required for the state under the Clean Power Plan.
According to Rauner, “I refused to gamble on thousands of good-paying jobs, and I refused to gamble on the energy diversity options for the people of Illinois. That’s why I fought to make this bill happen.”
Xebec announces a breakthrough in biogas upgrading to renewable natural gas
By Xebec Adsorption Inc., Biomass Magazine.
Xebec Adsorption Inc., a global provider of gas generation, purification, and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace, announced today that it has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fast-cycle pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology for upgrading biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG). By optimizing the process design and combining it with a novel adsorption/desorption cycle, Xebec can now achieve recovery rates of up to 98.5 percent while operating at low pressure, allowing operators to maximize revenue, lower operating costs and, consequently, increase profitability.
By Xebec Adsorption Inc., Biomass Magazine.
Xebec Adsorption Inc., a global provider of gas generation, purification, and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace, announced today that it has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fast-cycle pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology for upgrading biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG). By optimizing the process design and combining it with a novel adsorption/desorption cycle, Xebec can now achieve recovery rates of up to 98.5 percent while operating at low pressure, allowing operators to maximize revenue, lower operating costs and, consequently, increase profitability.
Xebec has pioneered fast and rapid cycle adsorption technology, bringing its proprietary technology to the biogas upgrading market more than 15 years ago. Adsorption technology is now well-established for upgrading biogas to RNG and Xebec is a major player with 27 installations operating globally and a growing number of ongoing projects under planning, procurement and construction.
Biogas upgrading has historically been a challenge because gas compositions constantly vary, flow rates fluctuate, and temperatures change with seasonal and weather conditions. Operators need technology solutions that are flexible, reliable, and cost effective in order to maximize profits. Xebec has a sterling reputation for delivering product gas that meets all of these objectives at a quality that can be injected into the pipeline systems. In a collaborative demonstration with Southern California Gas in 2012, Xebec demonstrated that its technology can meet “Rule 30,” California’s very stringent gas quality standard, even under varying operating conditions.
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