RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.According to History, the Tax Reform Process Is Just Getting Started
By Laura Davison and Colleen Murphy,
Republicans laid out an ambitious agenda at the start of the year to overhaul the tax code by the end of 2017.
But history suggests that there isn’t time for a complete overhaul by December. It took more than two years to pass tax legislation in 1986, which was shepherded through with bipartisan plans and buy-in from the White House. And as June begins, it’s unclear if the GOP has unified around the framework and cost of tax reform.
By Laura Davison and Colleen Murphy, Bloomberg BNA.
Republicans laid out an ambitious agenda at the start of the year to overhaul the tax code by the end of 2017.
But history suggests that there isn’t time for a complete overhaul by December. It took more than two years to pass tax legislation in 1986, which was shepherded through with bipartisan plans and buy-in from the White House. And as June begins, it’s unclear if the GOP has unified around the framework and cost of tax reform.
“At the rate we’re going, we’re going to have like a full proposal, you know, somewhere like 2075 or something like that,” Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said at a May 25 hearing. “We really got to get moving.”
House Ways and Means Republicans are still talking through the details of the blueprint they put out last year, and members are split on the controversial border adjustment tax at the center of the plan. Over in the Senate, lawmakers are unified in opposition to the import tax provision, and are currently reviewing previous tax reform plans for ideas.
The White House released a one-page tax plan on April 26. The proposal outlined goals of tax cuts, but didn’t delve into the details of how to pay for those reductions, a necessary step for overhauling the tax system. National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn initially said the administration would release a more thorough plan later this summer, but lawmakers are now signaling that the next release will be unified legislation between the two chambers and the administration—a goal that some doubt can be achieved.
2017 RNG SUMMIT highlights RNG Benefits in Washington DC
On May 22-23, the RNG Coalition hosted members for the North American renewable natural gas industry's 2017 RNG SUMMIT. RNG Coalition staff thanks each member representative who participated in the annual Fly-In, federal advocacy meetings and mid-year networking events.
For the first time, the 2017 RNG SUMMIT kicked off with a featured Policy Forum where representatives from the US EPA, DOE and USDA, along with executives from Washington Gas & Light, American Gas Association, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities, American Biogas Council, NGV America, and Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas provided a real-time, RNG-relevant update and Q&A for all attendees. (For a copy of presentations please contact RNG Coalition Staff).
On May 22-23, the RNG Coalition hosted members for the North American renewable natural gas industry's 2017 RNG SUMMIT. RNG Coalition staff thanks each member representative who participated in the annual Fly-In, federal advocacy meetings and mid-year networking events.
For the first time, the 2017 RNG SUMMIT kicked off with a featured Policy Forum where representatives from the US EPA, DOE and USDA, along with executives from Washington Gas & Light, American Gas Association, Greater Washington Region Clean Cities, American Biogas Council, NGV America, and Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas provided a real-time, RNG-relevant update and Q&A for all attendees. (For a copy of presentations please contact RNG Coalition Staff).
Following the Policy Forum, RNG SUMMIT attendees enjoyed a hosted evening reception - made possible by the generous sponsorship of Senatorial Host DTE Biomass Energy and Co-Sponsor EcoEngineers at the UPS Townhouse.
On Tuesday, after an orientation breakfast (hosted by NGVAmerica) nine RNG Coalition Member-led Delegations met with nearly 50 offices on Capitol Hill, including new and key members of RNG-relevant policy committees in both the US House and Senate. RNG Coalition Executives, Directors and Members also participated in a Congressional Lunch Briefing, educating Congressional Staff and the general public on the economic and environmental benefits associated with renewable natural gas (for a link to the video recording of the briefing please contact RNG Coalition Staff).
In keeping with tradition, the RNG SUMMIT concluded at the Washington Nationals' Ballpark, with the home team securing an 11-1 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners.
For more information, or to secure your Host or Sponsorship for RNG 2018, please contact RNG Coalition Staff.
GE technology to convert food waste into biogas at Utah project
By GE, via Biomass Magazine.
The Wasatch Resource Recovery project in North Salt Lake City, Utah, has selected GE's Monsal advanced anaerobic digestion technologies to convert food waste into biogas to generate renewable energy and fertilizer. The first phase will generate up to 3,000 dekatherms a day of renewable natural gas (RNG). Once both phases are operational, WRR will supply enough RNG to meet the needs of approximately 40,000 people or 15,000 homes.
According to the United Nations, approximately one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption annually gets lost or wasted. The WRR project—a joint venture between ALPRO Energy and Water and the South Davis Sewer District—will become a state-of-the-art food waste digestion facility that will divert 180,000 tons of food waste per year from area landfills, extending the life of these landfills as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 12,000 cars off the highway.
Ameresco Addresses Clean Air Act Roundtable Hosted by U.S. Senator Carper
Via BusinessWire.
Clean Air Act can spur innovation while delivering economic and environmental benefits to local communities
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced that Senior Vice President Michael T. Bakas participated in a Clean Air Roundtable hosted by U.S. Senator Tom Carper at the U.S. Capitol this afternoon. The session titled “A Historic View of the Clean Air Act: Providing the Way for Cleaner Air, Innovation, and Economic Opportunities” was created to facilitate discussions about the innovation and economic opportunities created by past Clean Air Act regulations and protections. Some Members of Congress attended and had the opportunity to ask questions. The event was open to the press and public.
Via BusinessWire.
Clean Air Act can spur innovation while delivering economic and environmental benefits to local communities
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced that Senior Vice President Michael T. Bakas participated in a Clean Air Roundtable hosted by U.S. Senator Tom Carper at the U.S. Capitol this afternoon. The session titled “A Historic View of the Clean Air Act: Providing the Way for Cleaner Air, Innovation, and Economic Opportunities” was created to facilitate discussions about the innovation and economic opportunities created by past Clean Air Act regulations and protections. Some Members of Congress attended and had the opportunity to ask questions. The event was open to the press and public.
Mr. Bakas, one of five expert witnesses from the clean technology and pollution control business community invited to speak, addressed how Ameresco works with the public and private sectors to implement economic and environmentally compelling energy projects that improve infrastructure, reduce emissions, reduce operating costs and revitalize the near and long-term sustainability of building and facility assets.
U.S. Departments of Agriculture & Energy Announce Up to $9 Million through the Interagency Biomass Research & Development Initiative
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced that up to $9 million in funding will be made available through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) to increase the nation’s energy independence by supporting the development of bioenergy feedstocks, biofuels, and biobased products.
The projects funded through BRDI—a joint USDA and DOE program—will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass, increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products, and diversify our energy portfolio. Both DOE and USDA have been given statutory authorities to support the development of a biomass-based industry in the United States, under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) and the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
RNG Use Rises as Policy Makers, Businesses See Benefits
By California Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition.
Investment in RNG as an ultralow-carbon transportation fuel is growing—spurred in large part by federal and state programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard—and its fans are coming from all sectors: CARB, local air districts, public and private fleets, and the University of California.
“The focus on reducing short-lived climate pollutants is driving increased interest in developing RNG technologies,” said Coalition President Thomas Lawson. “In both the private and public sector, there is a more concentrated effort to reduce methane—and capturing it for use as a clean transportation fuel that displaces diesel is a win-win.”
By California Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition.
Investment in RNG as an ultralow-carbon transportation fuel is growing—spurred in large part by federal and state programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard—and its fans are coming from all sectors: CARB, local air districts, public and private fleets, and the University of California.
“The focus on reducing short-lived climate pollutants is driving increased interest in developing RNG technologies,” said Coalition President Thomas Lawson. “In both the private and public sector, there is a more concentrated effort to reduce methane—and capturing it for use as a clean transportation fuel that displaces diesel is a win-win.”
According to the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), its members are on track to produce more than 622 million gallon equivalents of RNG in 2018, including more than 541 million for transportation. That’s 16 times the 2014 volume (as measured for the Renewable Fuel Standard), and enough RNG to displace more than 15 percent of diesel consumption in California. Right now, RNG projects are currently operating or under construction in 27 states, including California, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona.
“Between 2011 and 2016, the RNG industry has developed nearly as many projects as it developed in the 30 years prior. RNG production quintupled between 2013 and 2015, and is expected to triple again by the end of 2018,” said Johannes D. Escudero, CEO and executive director of the RNG Coalition.
Nevada Legislature Boosts Renewables Target to 40% by 2030
By Julia Pyper, GreenTech Media.
With just hours remaining in the 2017 legislative session, the Nevada State Legislature has approved a bill to boost the state's renewable energy target to 40 percent by 2030. The bill (AB 206) passed in the Senate on Monday afternoon, and was concurred by the Assembly shortly after. It now goes to the governor.
By Julia Pyper, GreenTech Media.
With just hours remaining in the 2017 legislative session, the Nevada State Legislature has approved a bill to boost the state's renewable energy target to 40 percent by 2030. The bill (AB 206) passed in the Senate on Monday afternoon, and was concurred by the Assembly shortly after. It now goes to the governor.
Notable amendments include setting an interim target of 32 percent by [2024], identifying energy storage as a qualified technology to meet 10 percent of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2030, applying a multiplier of 1.5 to geothermal resources, applying a multiplier of 2.0 to energy storage resources, and revising the annual requirement for electricity sold in the state, according to business groups tracking the legislation.
Clean energy advocates believe that increasing the RPS and expanding investments in renewable energy can help bring billions of dollars into Nevada's economy and create tens of thousands of additional jobs. Natural gas currently makes up roughly 70 percent of Nevada's electricity mix, sending about $700 million out of state each year to purchase fossil fuels, according to a recent report by ICF International, commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council. A higher renewable energy standard keeps more of those dollars in Nevada.
"Over the last few years, Nevada's clean energy leadership has really been challenged," said Vote Solar's Jessica Scott, in an interview. "Nevada’s renewable energy standard was last substantially changed in 2009, and is currently set to cap at 25 percent clean energy by 2025. Since then, the cost of renewable energy, especially solar, has fallen dramatically, and other states across the country have set aggressive new clean energy standards. So this is really an important step for Nevada to reclaim its status as a clean energy leader."
AB 206 initially sought to increase the target to 50 percent by 2040, and put the state on a pathway to reach 80 percent renewable energy by 2040, but those targets were not able to garner widespread support.
The Senate voted 12-9 along party lines in favor of a revised bill today, following several weeks of intense negotiations and backroom meetings due to opposition from the Nevada Resort Association (NRA), a powerful trade group representing the state's gaming industry.
Proposed biogas, sorghum plant wins appeal for development
By Torrie Cope, Idaho Press.
PARMA — Treasure Valley Renewables was given the green light Monday to move forward on a proposed sorghum and biogas facility near Parma.
The company successfully appealed denials by the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission of its rezone, comprehensive plan map amendment and planned unit development agreement to build the facility in what was zoned for agricultural.
By Torrie Cope, Idaho Press.
PARMA — Treasure Valley Renewables was given the green light Monday to move forward on a proposed sorghum and biogas facility near Parma.
The company successfully appealed denials by the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission of its rezone, comprehensive plan map amendment and planned unit development agreement to build the facility in what was zoned for agricultural.
The Canyon County Commissioners approved the appeal of the rezone and plan amendment at an earlier meeting in a 2-1 vote. It also approved the appeal for the planned unit development agreement Monday in the same 2-1 split — Commissioners Tom Dale and Steve Rule voted in favor and Commissioner Pam White opposed.
The planned unit development agreement is required by the county to allow the manufacturing or production of hazardous chemicals or gasses.
“There’s a tremendous amount of things that still have to be done, but we’re pleased that we got this done,” said Neill Goodfellow, Treasure Valley Renewables vice president.
Treasure Valley Renewables plans to build a “sustainability complex” at 27349 Shelton Road. The complex will have three parts under three separate LLCs.
Bio Ag Resources will use sorghum fiber in a pulping process to make fiber-molded plates, bowls and other products for the food industry. Boise Biogas will operate anaerobic bio methane gas digesters. This part of the complex will produce biogas and byproducts that will result in fertilizer, compost and livestock bedding.
Finally, DualFuel Technology will clean and compress the biogas so it can be delivered through a pipeline for retail sale, but the gas will not be stored on site, according to the application.
The complex is expected to create 75 jobs.
5 States Considering a Fuel or Emissions Tax
By Samantha Oller, CSP Daily News.
CHICAGO -- As the Trump administration decides whether the United States will remain part of the Paris Agreement on climate change, legislators in several states are taking action to tackle greenhouse gases—in particular, through a carbon tax.
Recent Meetings Show Tax Reform Still in Early Stages
By National Law Review.
Pressing Forward with Tax Reform
Prior to last week’s Memorial Day recess, both the House Ways & Means and Senate Finance Committees held hearings, which focused on the state of tax reform. First, in their hearings reviewing the President’s FY 2018 Budget Proposal, tax-writers focused on various issues, including: (1) the timing and approach to tax reform; (2) revenue neutrality; (3) the border adjustment tax (BAT); (4) full and immediate expensing; (5) interest deductibility; (6) tax credits and deductions; (7) pass-throughs; and (8) simplicity. Generally, the hearings reinforced the notion that the Trump Administration is still in the early stages of the tax reform process; though Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared before both tax-writing committees on consecutive days to discuss the budget and the Administration’s approach to tax reform, he did not provide many new details on key tax policy proposals. Republican lawmakers commended the Secretary on his active involvement in tax reform discussions, while Democrats criticized the slow pace thus far and lack of details from the White House.
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