RNG NEWS
NYC says the hard work of reaching 'zero waste' by 2030 is just beginning
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
New York City has been making measurable progress in recent years, but without significant buy-in from the public and local legislators, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recognizes that achieving "zero waste" by 2030 will be a tall order.
"We are on track but I’m going to need some help, folks," said DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia during a Sept. 18 hearing of the City Council's sanitation committee. "There are going to be some big controversial projects that are going to come up in the future."
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
New York City has been making measurable progress in recent years, but without significant buy-in from the public and local legislators, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recognizes that achieving "zero waste" by 2030 will be a tall order.
"We are on track but I’m going to need some help, folks," said DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia during a Sept. 18 hearing of the City Council's sanitation committee. "There are going to be some big controversial projects that are going to come up in the future."
According to newly released data from FY17, the city's residential diversion rate was 17.4% and total diversion for DSNY-managed material was 20.5%. Exact data on the city's commercial diversion rate is often disputed, though some estimates put it in the low 20% range.
A potential "save-as-you-throw" program and commercial waste franchise zones were repeatedly mentioned as the biggest game changers during the multi-hour hearing on New York's "zero waste" progress. New strategies for engaging residents, such as publicizing district-level diversion rankings were also discussed. Council members repeatedly asked for more transparency on this publicly available data, though were hesitant about comparing neighborhoods.
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $55 Million in Grants to Support High-Tech Low-No Buses, American Manufacturing
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $55 million in grant selections through the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle program, which funds the development of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced fuel technologies. Fifty-one projects in 39 states will receive a share of the funding.
“The projects selected through the highly-competitive Low-No program all demonstrate strong value to American communities,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “As transit providers nationwide face a backlog of maintenance needs, it is imperative to replace aging buses near the end of their useful life with newer, cleaner models that are also more efficient to operate and maintain.”
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $55 million in grant selections through the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle program, which funds the development of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced fuel technologies. Fifty-one projects in 39 states will receive a share of the funding.
“The projects selected through the highly-competitive Low-No program all demonstrate strong value to American communities,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “As transit providers nationwide face a backlog of maintenance needs, it is imperative to replace aging buses near the end of their useful life with newer, cleaner models that are also more efficient to operate and maintain.”
Eligible projects included those that replace, rehabilitate, lease, and purchase buses and related equipment as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, construct or lease bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance. Projects can also include workforce development components to train the next generation of transit employees.
“The projects selected through the highly-competitive Low-No program all demonstrate strong value to American communities,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “As transit providers nationwide face a backlog of maintenance needs, it is imperative to replace aging buses near the end of their useful life with newer, cleaner models that are also more efficient to operate and maintain.”
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Waste Not: Pinehill landfill launches clean fuel operation
By James Draper, Kilgore News Herald.
As organic waste in a landfill breaks down, it releases methane – the gas is now being captured by dozens of collectors spread across the Pinehill Landfill.
Flowing to a brand new landfill gas-to-energy facility on site, the decomposition byproduct is being processed to natural gas standards and piped away in a clean fuel project officially unveiled Tuesday at the Republic Services operation north of Kilgore.
By James Draper, Kilgore News Herald.
As organic waste in a landfill breaks down, it releases methane – the gas is now being captured by dozens of collectors spread across the Pinehill Landfill.
Flowing to a brand new landfill gas-to-energy facility on site, the decomposition byproduct is being processed to natural gas standards and piped away in a clean fuel project officially unveiled Tuesday at the Republic Services operation north of Kilgore.
The Environmental Protection Agency quantifies the benefits of ‘high BTU’ landfill gas projects, says Luke Morrow.
“It shows that this project offers the same carbon reduction as that of over 182,000 acres of forest annually,” the president of Morrow Renewables said at the landfill Tuesday morning, the mounds of the landfill on one side, the towers of the new plant rising behind him. “It is also the equivalent of removing the carbon dioxide emissions from almost 22 million gallons of gasoline annually.
Enerkem Starts Commercial Production of Cellulosic Ethanol Canada Biofuels Facility
By Waste360 Staff.
Biofuels and renewable chemicals producer Enerkem Inc. has started the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol at its biofuels facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The facility is the first commercial-scale plant in the world to produce cellulosic ethanol made from non-recyclable, non-compostable mixed municipal solid waste.
Development of the plant started earlier this decade, and the first stage opened in 2014, allowing it produce methanol. Last year, the plant shut down briefly so construction of its final stage could be completed, enabling the methanol to be converted to ethanol.
Cal ARB to Host Sept. 22 Workshop on Proposed LCFS Amendments
On September 8, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced that it will hold a public workshop on September 22 to discuss proposed amendments to the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Participants will have opportunity to provide feedback during the workshop on draft regulatory text for proposed LCFS announcements. Staff presentations and draft text have not yet been released, but are expected to be made available on the ARB website in advance of the workshop.
On September 8, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced that it will hold a public workshop on September 22 to discuss proposed amendments to the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Participants will have opportunity to provide feedback during the workshop on draft regulatory text for proposed LCFS announcements. Staff presentations and draft regulatory text have not yet been released, but are expected to be made available on the ARB website in advance of the workshop.
Details are as follows:
DATE: Friday, September 22, 2017
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Coastal Hearing Room, Second Floor
ADDRESS: Cal/EPA Headquarters Building, 1001 "I" Street, Sacramento, California 95814
Interested stakeholders can participate in the workshop via webcast or teleconference.
View ARB's full announcement HERE.
RNG industry bands together in response to proposed 2018 RFS
By Marcus Gillette, Biomass Magazine.
As the predominate supplier of cellulosic biofuel to the Renewable Fuel Standard, renewable natural gas (RNG) is experiencing a growth rate unprecedented in the sector.
But when the U.S. EPA released its draft rule of the 2018 renewable volume obligation (RVO) in May and proposed to lower cellulosic biofuel demand, some onlookers forecasted doom and gloom.
By Marcus Gillette, Biomass Magazine.
As the predominate supplier of cellulosic biofuel to the Renewable Fuel Standard, renewable natural gas (RNG) is experiencing a growth rate unprecedented in the sector.
But when the U.S. EPA released its draft rule of the 2018 renewable volume obligation (RVO) in May and proposed to lower cellulosic biofuel demand, some onlookers forecasted doom and gloom.
Instead the opposite happened. Thanks in large part to a strong RNG industry response, and a favorable ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Americans for Clean Energy, the RNG market has remained strong and developers have continued to build.
The RNG industry is answering congress’s call for domestic fuel production to boost U.S. energy security. Communities throughout the country are converting their waste into renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), literally fueling freight movement along our nation’s highways. RNG’s environmental merits compound its attractiveness. Cellulosic biofuels must achieve lifecycle benefits of 60 percent or greater compared to a diesel baseline.
Ontario Announces September Cap and Trade Program Auction Results: A Sell Out
Via Canadia Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change - September 13.
Today, Ontario announced the results of the province's third auction of greenhouse gas emission allowances, held Sept. 6, 2017.
A total of 25,296,367 current (2017) allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.56 CAD and a total of 3,116,700 future (2020) greenhouse gas emission allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.03 CAD. The auction generated an estimated $525,694,672 CAD in proceeds, which by law will be invested in programs that will reduce greenhouse gas pollution and help families and businesses reduce their own emissions through the Climate Change Action Plan.
By Canada Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change - September 13.
Today, Ontario announced the results of the province's third auction of greenhouse gas emission allowances, held Sept. 6, 2017.
A total of 25,296,367 current (2017) allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.56 CAD and a total of 3,116,700 future (2020) greenhouse gas emission allowances were sold at a settlement price of $18.03 CAD. The auction generated an estimated $525,694,672 CAD in proceeds, which by law will be invested in programs that will reduce greenhouse gas pollution and help families and businesses reduce their own emissions through the Climate Change Action Plan.
Proceeds from the province's carbon market auctions are funding programs in 2017-18 that help people and businesses across Ontario reduce pollution, including:
- Up to $377 million to establish the Green Ontario Fund to help homeowners and businesses save money and fight climate change through programs and rebates
Fremont, MI biodigester to process 120,000 gallons of daily organic waste, expected to annually power 2,500 homes
By Justine McGuire, Michigan Live.
FREMONT, MI -- The revamped Fremont Regional Digester is expected to divert 165,000 tons of organic waste and produce enough electricity to power 2,500 annually.
By Justine McGuire, Michigan Live.
FREMONT, MI -- The revamped Fremont Regional Digester is expected to divert 165,000 tons of organic waste and produce enough electricity to power 2,500 annually.
Closed in 2015 after an initial opening in 2012, the biodigester is under new ownership and management. San Francisco-based Generate Capital Inc. bought the plant, and invested "substantially" throughout 2017 to resume operations.
Upgrades make it possible for the plant to run 24/7, and handle about 120,000 gallons of organic waste daily.
A test start-up was completed in July, and the plant, 1634 Locust St. in Fremont Industrial Park, will be fully operational this fall.
U.S. EIA predicts increased bioenergy capacity in 2018
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the September edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, which includes updated forecasts for electricity production and generation capacity from wood and waste biomass.
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the September edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, which includes updated forecasts for electricity production and generation capacity from wood and waste biomass.
The EIA currently predicts wood biomass will be used to generate 112,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, with that level to be maintained through 2018. Waste biomass is expected to generate 58,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 59,000 MWh per day next year.
According to the EIA, the electric power sector is expected to have 7,414 MW of biomass power capacity at the end of this year, increasing to 7,599 MW by the end of 2018. Waste biomass capacity is expected to reach 4,211 MW by the end of this year, increasing to 4,303 MW by the end of next year. Wood biomass capacity is also expected to increase, from 3,202 MW this year to 3,296 MW next year.
Inside Boston CORe, where Waste Management has been scaling up an answer to urban organics diversion
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Under the Tobin Bridge on the waterfront outskirts of Boston, Waste Management has been scaling up the latest example of its urban organics technology for nearly a year.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Under the Tobin Bridge on the waterfront outskirts of Boston, Waste Management has been scaling up the latest example of its urban organics technology for nearly a year.
The Centralized Organic Recycling (CORe) facility is currently accepting about 50 tons per day of the region's residential and commercial food waste, with capacity for up to five times that much as demand increases. This is the third of four such facilities owned by the company — two are operational in New York and California, one is under construction in northern New Jersey — and more are expected in the future. Each is designed with a small footprint and the goal of extracting contaminants to create a bioslurry for digestion at regional wastewater treatment plants.
"People often underestimate the cost associated with collection of source-separated organics," said Eric Myers, Waste Management's director of organic recycling. "This is just another way to try to economically solve for what we as a society have decided is important and what our customers are asking for."