RNG NEWS
RNG Coalition Welcomes Sanjay Srikantiah as Federal Affairs Manager
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) is pleased to introduce and announce Mr. Sanjay Srikantiah to our members and the RNG industry as the RNG Coalition's new Federal Affairs Manager in Washington, DC.
The addition of Mr. Srikantiah will further strengthen the RNG Coalition's advocacy and education efforts on behalf of the North American RNG industry in Washington, DC and the Atlantic Coast Region.
"We are thrilled to have Sanjay join the RNG Coalition team. After a competitive process with many qualified candidates, his experience in the U.S. Capitol stood out," commented Johannes Escudero, CEO & Executive Director of the RNG Coalition. "Sanjay's understanding of the legislative and regulatory landscapes in Washington and his relationships will immediately benefit the RNG industry."
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) is pleased to introduce and announce Mr. Sanjay Srikantiah to our members and the RNG industry as the RNG Coalition's new Federal Affairs Manager in Washington, DC.
The addition of Mr. Srikantiah will further strengthen the RNG Coalition's advocacy and education efforts on behalf of the North American RNG industry in Washington, DC and the Atlantic Coast Region.
"We are thrilled to have Sanjay join the RNG Coalition team. After a competitive process with many qualified candidates, his experience in the U.S. Capitol stood out," commented Johannes Escudero, CEO & Executive Director of the RNG Coalition. "Sanjay's understanding of the legislative and regulatory landscapes in Washington and his relationships will immediately benefit the RNG industry."
Before joining the RNG Coalition, Mr. Srikantiah worked in a variety of strategic planning and budgeting roles at the U.S. State Department from 2009-2015, supporting work in the Bureau of Energy Resources and the Bureau of Resource Management, among others. He was deeply involved in the federal budget process, working closely with Congress and the White House Office of Management of Budget, and keeping the State Department abreast of the federal appropriations process.
Prior to working at State, Mr. Srikantiah served as a fellow in the Emerging Markets Development Advisors Program (EMDAP), a cooperative effort between USAID, the Institute of International Education, and the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance. Through EMDAP, Sanjay provided technical assistance and support to the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, buttressing its advocacy efforts with key officials and agencies in the U.S. and Kazakhstan Governments, and International Financial Institutions. His work culminated in launching a bilateral economic reform initiative between the two governments that continues today.
Sanjay received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland and his Master of Arts in International Affairs with a focus on International Energy Policy from the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and maintains fluency in Russian.
RNG Coalition members and industry stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Srikantiah at our RNG 2017 Conference, Nov. 27-30, if not before. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Sanjay Srikantiah to the RNG Coalition!
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.
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U.S. House tax chairman is confident on reform, but others less so
By Susan Heavey and David Morgan, Reuters.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top tax law writer in the U.S. House of Representatives insisted on Tuesday that tax reform will happen this year, despite concerns among some experts that a tax code overhaul could drag into 2018, or even collapse altogether.
President Donald Trump is still seeking his first major legislative achievement and has focused on tax reform. But he has done little to advance it recently, amid constant distractions over Russia, North Korea and race relations.
By Susan Heavey and David Morgan, Reuters.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top tax law writer in the U.S. House of Representatives insisted on Tuesday that tax reform will happen this year, despite concerns among some experts that a tax code overhaul could drag into 2018, or even collapse altogether.
President Donald Trump is still seeking his first major legislative achievement and has focused on tax reform. But he has done little to advance it recently, amid constant distractions over Russia, North Korea and race relations.
In Congress, as they did for their failed push to dismantle Obamacare, Republicans are ramping up a nationwide publicity campaign in favor of tax law changes without first deciding on exactly what changes they want to make.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, a Texan, is scheduled to deliver a speech on the issue on Wednesday at former President Ronald Reagan's ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Other committee members will also attend.
Court Rules that EPA Erred in Denying RFS Hardship Exemption
By Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency used too strict of a test when it denied Sinclair Oil Corp's request for an exemption from the country's biofuel regulations, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
The ruling could broaden the rules governing such exemptions and force the EPA to grant more of them under the Renewable Fuel Standard program, which requires that refiners blend biofuels like ethanol into their fuel pool or buy credits from those who do. Refiners of all sizes have complained for years that the program was too costly and threatened the viability of U.S. plants.
By Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency used too strict of a test when it denied Sinclair Oil Corp's request for an exemption from the country's biofuel regulations, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
The ruling could broaden the rules governing such exemptions and force the EPA to grant more of them under the Renewable Fuel Standard program, which requires that refiners blend biofuels like ethanol into their fuel pool or buy credits from those who do. Refiners of all sizes have complained for years that the program was too costly and threatened the viability of U.S. plants.
The EPA ruled that Sinclair did not qualify for a hardship waiver for small refiners, with capacity of less than 75,000 barrels per day, as the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company's two Wyoming plants were profitable and would not be forced to close if they were in the program.
The EPA granted 29 annual exemptions under the program from 2013 through the end of 2016, the agency said in June.
Chicago's AMP Americas gets $47M to turn more cow manure into renewable natural gas
CHICAG – MP Americas, the pioneering renewable natural gas (RNG) producer and marketer, and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and infrastructure operator for the heavy-duty, commercial trucking industry, today announced a $47 million equity commitment from Houston-base IV Capita, a private equity firm focused on the energy industry. The equity commitment will allow AMP Americas to pursue growth opportunities across its businesses.
CHICAGO – AMP Americas, the pioneering renewable natural gas (RNG) producer and marketer, and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and infrastructure operator for the heavy-duty, commercial trucking industry, today announced a $47 million equity commitment from Houston-base IV Capita, a private equity firm focused on the energy industry. The equity commitment will allow AMP Americas to pursue growth opportunities across its businesses.
AMP Americas is fueling the transformation of the nation’s heavy-duty trucking sector by providing clean, low cost natural gas and 100 percent renewable natural gas for vehicles. AMP Americas operates three business units; Renewable Dairy Fuels produces 100 percent renewable natural gas at its biogas facility at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana, ampCNG owns and operates a nationwide network of 20 public-access, ultra-fast fill CNG fueling stations, and ampRenew sources RNG for partner CNG stations and ampCNG stations and provides risk management to help fleets and station owners reduce risk and save money. By taking advantage of an abundant domestic fuel source, dairy waste, and converting it into valuable, clean, carbon-negative transportation fuel, AMP Americas is saving fleets money, improving air quality and reducing GHG emissions.
“As an integrated clean energy company with production and distribution assets across the country, we wanted a partner with proven success in both the traditional and renewable energy sectors that could help us scale and execute our aggressive growth plans,” said Grant Zimmerman, CEO at AMP Americas. “EIV Capital has an excellent track record growing energy businesses and will help us as we invest in new biogas production, new fueling stations, and in growing our team.”
“We’re excited to partner with AMP Americas and to support them as they lead the way in CNG and RNG,” said atti Melche, Managing Partner at EIV Capital. “With its history of leadership and innovation, experienced management team and portfolio of high quality assets, AMP Americas is in an excellent position to flourish in this exciting and important market.”
About AMP Americas
AMP Americas conducts operations through three business units; Renewable Dairy Fuels, ampRenew and ampCNG. Renewable Dairy Fuels (RDF) produces 100 percent renewable natural gas from an anaerobic digester at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana. ampRenew, the company’s branded high quality RNG sourcing, marketing, and risk management business, sources RNG from Fair Oaks Farms and RNG developers to supply partner CNG stations, ampCNG stations, and fleet customers with clean sustainable RNG for trucking fleets. ampCNG is leading the movement to help heavy-duty trucking fleets transition to cost-effective, clean and American-produced CNG. A member of th epartment of Energy’s National Clean Fleets Partnershi tasked to reduce the nation’s dependency on imported oil, ampCNG builds, owns and operates a growing network of CNG fueling stations for long-haul trucking fleets. For more information, call (312) 300-6700 or visit http://www.ampcng.co.
About EIV Capital:
Founded in 2009, EIV Capital is a Houston, TX-based private equity firm specializing in providing growth equity to the energy industry. The firm’s management has extensive experience leading and investing in successful companies across the energy value chain with a focus on midstream infrastructure and related services. For more information, visit www.eivcapital.com.
How a Wastewater Plant Hits Net Zero Energy
By Rachel Engel, Efficient Gov.
A wastewater treatment facility in Gresham, Ore., went beyond net zero energy consumption within 10 years after beginning the journey.
While other cities across the country are working to mitigate the exorbitant amount of energy their wastewater treatment plants consume, the city of Gresham, Ore., has found a way to achieve net zero energy consumption.
Through a 2005 partnership with a private contractor, Gresham’s wastewater treatment plant began the process of green energy creation as well as reducing their overall energy consumption. A mere 10 years later, in March 2015, the plant hit net zero for the month, proving they could create as much energy on site as they needed to consume for operations. It was a milestone victory for the city.
EPA report shows economic growth, environmental rules can co-exist
By Ledyard King, USA TODAY.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s argument that “job-killing” environmental regulations are stifling U.S. economic growth is being undercut by … the Trump administration.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency found that since Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, the economy has more than tripled and the number of vehicle miles traveled every year has nearly doubled — all while the nation’s population and annual energy consumption has surged.
By Ledyard King, USA TODAY.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s argument that “job-killing” environmental regulations are stifling U.S. economic growth is being undercut by … the Trump administration.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency found that since Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, the economy has more than tripled and the number of vehicle miles traveled every year has nearly doubled — all while the nation’s population and annual energy consumption has surged.
At the same time, the levels of six key air pollutants — carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide — have declined dramatically.
The number of unhealthy air quality days annually in 35 of America’s largest cities has fallen significantly while the visibility at national parks across the country once shrouded in haze has improved substantially, the report said.
London mayor releases environmental strategy with 'zero waste' goal by 2026
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has released a new draft "environment strategy" that includes a "zero waste" goal of sending no biodegradable or recyclable waste to landfills by 2026. The plan also calls for increasing the city's overall diversion rate of 52% — including residential and commercial material — to 65% by 2030, as reported by BusinessGreen.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has released a new draft "environment strategy" that includes a "zero waste" goal of sending no biodegradable or recyclable waste to landfills by 2026. The plan also calls for increasing the city's overall diversion rate of 52% — including residential and commercial material — to 65% by 2030, as reported by BusinessGreen.
- The plan pledges to make "the disposable economy a thing of the past," and outlines multiple circular economy ideas to begin heading in this direction. In the near-term, the plan also calls for the city's 33 local authorities to begin offering collection services for organic waste and at least six types of recyclable materials (glass, cans, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and mixed plastics).
- On the commercial side, the plan calls for a potential zone collection system that would be divided up among London's business improvement districts. The plan also calls for better data collection about commercial waste activities in partnership with the U.K.'s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Element Markets Announces the Hiring of Two Leading Biomethane Executives - Tom Moffett and Steve Johnson
Via Markets Insider.
HOUSTON, Aug 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Element Markets, LLC today announced the hiring of Tom Moffett and Steve Johnson, experienced renewable natural gas (RNG) and environmental commodity market professionals from Shell Energy North America, to anchor the company's Carlsbad, California office opening in September 2017. Tom Moffettbecomes Element Markets' Senior Vice President of Environmental Products and is joined by Steve Johnson, who will serve as the Vice President of Environmental Products. Mr. Moffett will lead Element Markets' West Coast origination of RNG, RINs, LCFS credits, carbon allowances and offsets, renewable energy, and emission credits, while Mr. Johnson brings over 30 years of experience in the West Coast energy markets to the Element Markets team, having worked with a variety of customers to develop tailored renewable energy solutions.
Immediately prior to joining Element Markets, Mr. Moffett and Mr. Johnson led the biomethane marketing effort at Shell Energy North America, where they were integral in the development of renewable energy and carbon transactions, and strategies for Shell's affiliates and clients.
Ontario considers food waste ban from MSW by 2022
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- Ontario policymakers want to outlaw food waste from curbside trash collection by 2022, according to the CBC.
- About 33% of Ontario's total waste in 2014 was made up of food and organics, according to a recent discussion paper released by the province. In 2016, 37 municipalities in Ontario offered curbside organics collection, according to that same paper.
- Ontario already has a 15-point plan for becoming a waste-free province, which includes reducing the amount of food and organic waste going to landfills.