RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Minneapolis landfills owned by Waste Management & Republic Services sue Minnesota environmental agency over incineration push
By Cody Bottler, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Three Minneapolis-area landfills owned by Waste Management (Burnsville Sanitary Landfill, Elk River Landfill and Spruce Ridge Landfill) and one owned by Republic Services (Pine Bend Landfill) have filed suit against the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for allegedly misinterpreting a law that prioritizes incinerating garbage rather than landfilling it, according to the StarTribune.
- Earlier this year, MPCA fined each of the landfills $20,000 for accepting garbage that could have been used at waste-to-energy facilities. The StarTribune reported in January that MCPA had begun to start pushing for more waste incineration, suddenly enforcing a law from the 1980s to prioritize burning.
- The lawsuits note that compliance with the incineration law will be impossible without a complete redrafting of communication between industry players in the region. The landfills are also asking the court to drop the fines.
North Carolina Legislature Approves Major Renewable Energy Reform Bill
July 6, 2017, by McGuireWoods.
On June 29, the North Carolina House and Senate voted to enact a compromise version of 2017 H589, titled “Competitive Energy Solutions for North Carolina.” This major new energy legislation evolves and, in some respects, significantly expands solar business opportunities in North Carolina.
The bill also establishes an 18-month moratorium (through Dec. 31, 2018) on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issuing permits for new wind energy projects. The state will use that time to evaluate potential impacts of future wind energy development on North Carolina’s major military installations’ operations, training and readiness missions.
The bill represents a compromise among many varied stakeholders and now goes to Gov. Roy Cooper to decide whether to sign it into law.
Read more...
Renewable Natural Gas Coalition Confident Industry Growth and Project Data Will Prevail in Face of Down RVO Proposal
July 5, 2017 / Washington, DC - The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) expressed continued optimism and confidence in U.S. Cellulosic Biofuel production and value in the face of a Draft Renewable Fuel Volume Standard (RVO) for cellulosic biofuel in 2018 that is 73 million gallons below the 2017 RVO.
“Renewable Natural Gas [RNG] is the predominant source of cellulosic biofuel in America,” said Johannes Escudero, RNG Coalition CEO. “Today’s 2018 RVO draft rule does not reflect the true reality of projected fuel volume available. It doesn't account for production of additional cellulosic biofuel from new projects that our members are already constructing across the country.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2017
Media Contact:
Marcus Gillette
Marcus@RNGCoalition.com
Renewable Natural Gas Coalition Confident Industry Growth and Project Data Will Prevail in Face of Down RVO Proposal
Washington, DC – The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) expressed continued optimism and confidence in U.S. Cellulosic Biofuel production and value in the face of a Draft Renewable Fuel Volume Standard (RVO) for cellulosic biofuel in 2018 that is 73 million gallons below the 2017 RVO.
“Renewable Natural Gas [RNG] is the predominant source of cellulosic biofuel in America,” said Johannes Escudero, RNG Coalition CEO. “Today’s 2018 RVO draft rule does not reflect the true reality of projected fuel volume available. It doesn't account for production of additional cellulosic biofuel from new projects that our members are already constructing across the country.”
RNG projects turn cellulosic waste, like garbage and manure, into natural gas-quality fuel that powers CNG and LNG vehicles, especially medium and heavy duty trucks and buses, throughout the United States.
The RNG Coalition previously called for a 2018 Cellulosic RVO at 421 million gallons based on volume data from the 22 new RNG projects currently under development and the 49 RNG projects producing fuel to meet the 2017 standard.
“RNG has exponentially added cellulosic biofuel volume since its qualification in 2014,”said Marcus Gillette, RNG Coalition Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Each RNG project brings an average of $16 Million in project development investment and 173 direct and indirect jobs into our communities.”
“By failing to account for RNG projects under development, a low cellulosic RVO puts more than 3,800 jobs and $352 million investment dollars at risk,” added Escudero.
“EPA is required to ‘take a neutral aim’ in setting the following year’s cellulosic biofuel volume standard,” said David Cox, RNG Coalition General Counsel. “This draft rule falls short of that standard. The RNG Coalition has the data to support the industry’s actual growth rate and projected volume. We will continue to make the data available to EPA and Administrator Pruitt throughout the comment process.”
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas was founded in 2011 and represents the renewable natural gas industry in North America, including companies that produce, or otherwise support production and distribution of biogas-derived renewable natural gas, which is a domestic, clean, low-carbon, and renewable source of power, heat and fuel that makes up the predominant share of Cellulosic Biofuel in North America.
Opinion: What good are electric buses in L.A. if we still use coal-generated power? (LA Times)
By Mike Gatto, Los Angeles.
To the editor: In an era of widespread skepticism, thought leaders must scrupulously adhere to facts and sci-ence. Alas, both were in short supply in The Times’ editorial that identified electric buses as a panacea. (“Electric buses are L.A.'s transit future,” editorial, June 20)
Analysis of reversing Maryland's 'zero-waste' plan
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Maryland’s "zero waste" plan came to an unceremonious end last week, and so far, even avowed "zero waste" supporters don’t seem to mind.
Governor Larry Hogan’s decision to repeal the 2015 "zero waste" executive order put in place by his predecessor, Martin O’Malley, came as a surprise. An editorial in The Baltimore Sun even called it "odd." Though both industry and environmental groups see things they like in Hogan’s new version. Perhaps, they say, Maryland can actually make more progress without the old "zero waste" plan after all.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Maryland’s "zero waste" plan came to an unceremonious end last week, and so far, even avowed "zero waste" supporters don’t seem to mind.
Governor Larry Hogan’s decision to repeal the 2015 "zero waste" executive order put in place by his predecessor, Martin O’Malley, came as a surprise. An editorial in The Baltimore Sun even called it "odd." Though both industry and environmental groups see things they like in Hogan’s new version. Perhaps, they say, Maryland can actually make more progress without the old "zero waste" plan after all.
Hogan made the announcement during a speech at the Maryland Municipal League’s summer conference on June 27. After describing O'Malley's plan as a usurpation of local government authority, he offered a brief rationale for the decision.
"...Earlier today, I signed an executive order to repeal that burdensome regulation, which had created overflowing landfills and unnecessary hardships for local governments," Hogan said in a video posted from the event. "We're replacing that last-minute, ill-conceived and poorly devised policy with a common sense, balanced approach to managing waste in Maryland which lifts that state mandate on permitting and re-configures recycling rates to realistic, reasonable and achievable levels."
Soon after, Hogan’s office released a five-page executive orderlaying out details for a new “Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Plan." At first glance, it includes many of the same words as any other modern waste strategy — sustainable materials management, source reduction, reuse, stakeholder consultation, data measurement, inter-agency cooperation, job creation, and anaerobic digestion, among others. Unlike O’Malley’s plan, it doesn't include any dates, diversion rate targets or mention of internal recycling priorities for state government.
Maui Seeks Public Comment on Sludge Drying and Biogas Facility
By Wendy Osher, Maui Now.
The County of Maui has selected Maui All Natural Alternative or MANA as the operator of a proposed renewable energy and sludge drying project at the Wailuku – Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
The biogas facility would utilize equipment to digest energy crops grown on former Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar company plantation lands, and sourced locally from Central Maui Feedstocks.
The product, renewable methane or biogas would be used to fuel a combined heat and power engine for electrical power generation.
DC Appeals Court Decision Orders EPA to Proceed Implementing Methane Rule
By Associated Press News.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Monday that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of an Obama administration rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks.
In a split decision, the three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the EPA to move forward with the new requirement that aims to reduce planet-warming emissions from oil and gas operations.
By Associated Press News.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Monday that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of an Obama administration rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks.
In a split decision, the three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the EPA to move forward with the new requirement that aims to reduce planet-warming emissions from oil and gas operations.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced in April that he would delay by 90 days the deadline for oil and gas companies to follow the new rule, so that the agency could reconsider the measure. The American Petroleum Institute, the Texas Oil and Gas Association and other industry groups had petitioned Pruitt to scrap the requirement, which had been set to take effect in June.
Last month, Pruitt announced he intended to extend the 90-day stay for two years. A coalition of six environmental groups opposed the delay in court, urging the appeals judges to block Pruitt’s decision.
American Environmental Landfill & Montauk Energy donate $37,500 to Elementary School
By Rachel Snyder, Sand Springs Leader.
Anderson Elementary School received an initial $37,500 gift Thursday as part of a partnership between American Environmental Landfill and Montauk Energy to generate money for the school through the sale of electricity.
The landfill captures methane gas from the decomposing trash and converts that into electricity via generators.
By Rachel Snyder, Sand Springs Leader.
Anderson Elementary School received an initial $37,500 gift Thursday as part of a partnership between American Environmental Landfill and Montauk Energy to generate money for the school through the sale of electricity.
The landfill captures methane gas from the decomposing trash and converts that into electricity via generators.
American Environmental Landfill Vice President of Operations Todd Green said their partnership with Montauk Energy to facilitate the commercial operation of the renewable energy project will allow the companies to commit a donation of $15,000 combined annually.
“(Anderson Superintendent) Brett Banker and I have a close relationship and he came to me about the budget shortfall and asked if the landfill could help with their electric bill,” Green said. “We’re proud of our relationship with Anderson.”
Cummins Westport 'Playbook' Offers Guidance on Natural Gas for Fleets
Via HDT, Trucking Info.
Cummins Westport's new Natural Gas Playbook is a website to give new and existing natural gas customers guidance on evaluating and operating CWI-powered natural gas vehicles.
Located at www.cwiplaybook.com, the five-step Natural Gas Playbook features information and tips on how to assess, specify, prepare, implement, and operate/maintain a CWI-powered natural gas fleet. The website provides answers for fleets that have questions about operating natural gas vehicles.
The Natural Gas Playbook answers questions such as:
- What is natural gas and how does it reduce fleet emissions?
- Can I calculate the emission reductions with natural gas?
- What are zero carbon renewable fuels?
- How do natural gas engines operate, and what about my application and the operational costs and maintenance requirements?
California Supreme Court leaves in place decision upholding cap-and-trade system
By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times.
After more than four years, a legal challenge to California's cap-and-trade program has reached an unsuccessful conclusion.
The end came on Wednesday when the California Supreme Court declined to consider an appeal from business groups who consider the program to be an unconstitutional tax.
Don’t miss an update—join our weekly newsletter below.