RNG NEWS
Ontario Joins Cap-and-Trade Partnership with California & Quebec
QUÉBEC CITY – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed an agreement with the leaders of Québec and Ontario to officially integrate their cap-and-trade programs, expanding the three-year partnership between California and Québec to include Ontario, Canada’s most populous province and leading industrial region. The agreement takes effect January 1, 2018.
QUÉBEC CITY – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed an agreement with the leaders of Québec and Ontario to officially integrate their cap-and-trade programs, expanding the three-year partnership between California and Québec to include Ontario, Canada’s most populous province and leading industrial region. The agreement takes effect January 1, 2018.
"Climate change, if left unchecked, will profoundly disrupt the economies of the world and cause untold human suffering," said Governor Brown. "That's the reason why California and Québec are joining with Ontario to create an expanded and dynamic carbon market, which will drive down greenhouse gas emissions."
“Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. Now more than ever, we need to work together with our partners around the world and at home to show how our collaboration can lead to results in this international fight. Today’s carbon market linking agreement will add to the success we have already seen in reducing GHG emissions in Ontario, California and Québec. We are stronger together and by linking our three carbon markets we will achieve even greater reductions at the lowest cost. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Brown and Premier Couillard on our common goals, including advocating for the adoption of carbon markets and emissions cap programs across North America and around the world,” said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.
Vox: The most effective clean energy policy gets the least love - In defense of renewable energy mandates
By David Roberts, Vox.
Back in the 1990s and 2000s, when Democrats had more power in state governments, 29 states (and DC) passed some form of renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a policy that requires a state’s utilities to get a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources by a certain year.
Standards range from California’s wildly ambitious 50-percent-by-2030 to Ohio’s modest12.5-percent-by-2026, and everywhere in between.
By David Roberts, Vox.
Back in the 1990s and 2000s, when Democrats had more power in state governments, 29 states (and DC) passed some form of renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a policy that requires a state’s utilities to get a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources by a certain year.
Standards range from California’s wildly ambitious 50-percent-by-2030 to Ohio’s modest12.5-percent-by-2026, and everywhere in between.
Though they aren’t as sexy as perpetually-discussed-but-rarely-passed carbon taxes, and they are flawed and insufficient in a number of ways, RPSs have been the quiet workhorses of renewable energy deployment in the US. According to one Lawrence Berkeley Lab report, fully 62 percent of the growth in US non-hydro renewables since 2000 has been undertaken to satisfy RPS requirements.
AMP Americas Dairy Waste-to-Vehicle Fuel Pathway Registers Lowest CARB Carbon Intensity Score to Date
Becomes First Dairy Waste-to-Vehicle Fuel Pathway Certified by California’s Air Resources Board; Names Martin Gilkes COO, Opens LA Office
CHICAGO – AMP Americas, the pioneering renewable natural gas (RNG) producer and marketer, and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel provider for the heavy-duty, commercial trucking industry, today announced that its RNG operation at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana has received the first dairy waste-to-vehicle fuel pathway certified by California's Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB awarded the company a Carbon Intensity (CI) score of -254.94 gCO2e/MJ, which is the lowest ever issued by CARB.
Becomes First Dairy Waste-to-Vehicle Fuel Pathway Certified by California’s Air Resources Board; Names Martin Gilkes COO, Opens LA Office
CHICAGO – AMP Americas, the pioneering renewable natural gas (RNG) producer and marketer, and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel provider for the heavy-duty, commercial trucking industry, today announced that its RNG operation at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana has received the first dairy waste-to-vehicle fuel pathway certified by California's Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB awarded the company a Carbon Intensity (CI) score of -254.94 gCO2e/MJ, which is the lowest ever issued by CARB.
AMP Americas also announced today that it has opened an office in Los Angeles and has named Martin Gilkes COO. Gilkes will lead the AMP Americas team, head up the company’s California office, and will work with policy makers and industry colleagues to shape state and federal clean transportation policy. The new office will allow AMP Americas to better serve its expanding customer base in California.
AMP Americas' first project at Fair Oaks Farms has been in action since 2011 and produces over 1.5 million gallons of 100 percent renewable transportation fuel from dairy waste every year. The project was also the first, and to-date only, U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard-certified dairy waste-to-vehicle fuel project in the U.S. It is the first of its kind in California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard program. Fuels that emit more carbon have higher scores. Diesel registers +98, while traditional natural gas is only +79 and California electric is +35. Fair Oaks’ -255 CI makes trucks using its fuel far cleaner than electric.
“There are very few credible providers in the dairy RNG space, no one with the level of experience we have operating dairy RNG, and no one with the CNG station network integrated with RNG production assets and marketing capabilities,” said Martin Gilkes, COO at AMP Americas. “AMP Americas is leading the way in comprehensive renewable fueling for heavy trucks, and I am excited to join this talented team and help realize the massive opportunity in front of us.”
AMP Americas’ Renewable Dairy Fuels (RDF) is investing heavily in dairy RNG projects and partnering with dairy farmers across the country. RDF’s investments will bring more ultra-low CI gas to market and will help solve major air quality and climate challenges. Construction is currently underway for the company’s second RNG project using dairy digester gas. RDF plans to more than double its dairy gas output by early 2018 and aims to deliver 100 percent RNG to all 20 of its fueling stations as it brings on future projects.
“Adding Martin to our team is an important step for our company,” said Grant Zimmerman, CEO at AMP Americas. “His knowledge and extensive experience as an operator, an investor, and a client service leader will help us execute our aggressive growth plans, achieve our mission to clean up the nation’s air, and to preserve our climate by fueling the transformation of heavy-duty trucking with clean natural gas and renewable natural gas.”
Prior to joining AMP Americas, Martin was Global Head of Strategic Planning and Vice President of Investor Relations at Mattel, the largest toy manufacturer in the world. Before Mattel, he was a Vice President in Bain Capital's North American Private Equity business and spent six years prior to that as a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group. He holds a BS from MIT, an MSc from the University of Oxford and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
About AMP Americas
AMP Americas operates 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 third party 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 the Department of Energy’s National Clean Fleets Partnership 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.com.
Media Contact:
VineSprout PR for AMP Americas
Ben Pavlovic
312-961-3919
ben@vinesprout.com
EPA considers reductions to 2018 Advanced Biofuel & 2019 Biodiesel RVOs
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
On Sept. 26, the U.S. EPA published a notice of data availability (NODA) concerning potential reductions in renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 and 2019 under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The potential reductions primarily concern RVOs for biomass-based diesel, but would potentially result in corresponding reductions in RVOs for advanced biofuels and total renewable fuel.
The NODA presents historical data on imports of renewable fuel and several options for how the EPA may consider such data in establishing final RVOs using one or more of the waiver authorities provided by statute. A public comment period is scheduled to be open for 15 days following publication of the NODA in the Federal Register.
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
On Sept. 26, the U.S. EPA published a notice of data availability (NODA) concerning potential reductions in renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018 and 2019 under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The potential reductions primarily concern RVOs for biomass-based diesel, but would potentially result in corresponding reductions in RVOs for advanced biofuels and total renewable fuel.
The NODA presents historical data on imports of renewable fuel and several options for how the EPA may consider such data in establishing final RVOs using one or more of the waiver authorities provided by statute. A public comment period is scheduled to be open for 15 days following publication of the NODA in the Federal Register.
The U.S. EPA released its proposed rule to set 2018 RVOs under the RFS in July, along with the 2019 RVO for biomass-based diesel. In its new NODA, the EPA explains that the rulemaking included proposed reductions in statutory volume targets for advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel using the cellulosic waiver authority included in the Clean Air Act. “We proposed using the maximum reduction permitted under the authority (considering the proposed cellulosic volume requirement) to reduce the 2018 volume targets for advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel to 4.24 and 19.24 billion gallons, respectively, in part by placing a greater emphasis on cost considerations than we have in the past,” wrote the EPA in the NODA. The EPA also indicated it requested comments on possible additional reductions in advanced biofuel, with corresponding reductions in total renewable fuel, using the general waiver authority, along with comments on whether EPA should reduce the 2019 RVO for biomass-based diesel below the proposed 2.1 billion gallons. While the proposed rule did not specifically seek comments on a potential reduction in the 2018 RVO for biomass-based diesel, the EPA said that since biomass-based diesel is nested within the advanced biofuel requirement and is the predominant source of advanced biofuel, considerations leading to a reduction of advanced biofuel may also be relevant in reducing the 2018 RVO for biomass-based diesel.
Read more HERE.
View EPA's full Notice of Data Availability HERE.
Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport Praises Green Benefits, Low Fuel Costs of RNG
Since announcing its milestone as the first carbon-neutral airport in the United States, Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) Airport has continued its quest for carbon and greenhouse gas reductions by switching from geologic sourced compressed natural gas to renewable natural gas vehicle fuel. DFW has taken to social media to express its commitment to new, innovative ways to benefit the environment, and the cost benefits of RNG.
DFW's statement on social media disclosed, "Not only will this switch [to RNG] lower costs, but it will reduce transportation fleet emissions by an estimated 79%."
View the post on LinkedIn HERE.
US EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program at WasteCon: 3 LFG trends to watch
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
As of June, there are 634 operational landfill gas projects in the U.S., according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Project (LMOP). Those projects are collecting gas to use directly (in an on-site boiler, for example), to generate electricity or to be converted to pipeline-quality methane, commonly referred to as compressed natural gas (CNG).
Since establishing as a voluntary program in 1994, LMOP has worked to educate landfill operators on the benefits of capturing and utilizing landfill gas, and to bring together stakeholders for conversations and information sharing.
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
As of June, there are 634 operational landfill gas projects in the U.S., according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Project (LMOP). Those projects are collecting gas to use directly (in an on-site boiler, for example), to generate electricity or to be converted to pipeline-quality methane, commonly referred to as compressed natural gas (CNG).
Since establishing as a voluntary program in 1994, LMOP has worked to educate landfill operators on the benefits of capturing and utilizing landfill gas, and to bring together stakeholders for conversations and information sharing.
At this week's WASTECON event in Baltimore, LMOP team member Kirsten Cappel reviewed three landfill gas (LFG) trends that the EPA has noticed from the data it has collected and the conversations that team members have had.
Trend 1: Declining projects, changing yields
According to Cappel, the overall number of new landfill gas projects peaked in 2009 at 57 projects. In 2016, she said, there were just 10 new landfill gas projects.
New Landfill Gas-to-RNG Facility a Positive, according to Lawrence, KS Editorial Staff
Methane plant a positive Hamm Landfill project combines good environmental sense with good business sense.
By Lawrence Journal-World Editorial Staff.
The opening of a new methane gas plant and pipeline at the Hamm Landfill is a win both economically and environmentally for the region.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week to celebrate the opening of the $20 million plant and pipeline. Hamm officials said the new plant combined with other projects in recent years, including the recycling center and a new system for capping landfills, lessen the landfill’s impact on the environment.
Methane plant a positive Hamm Landfill project combines good environmental sense with good business sense.
By Lawrence Journal-World Editorial Staff.
The opening of a new methane gas plant and pipeline at the Hamm Landfill is a win both economically and environmentally for the region.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week to celebrate the opening of the $20 million plant and pipeline. Hamm officials said the new plant combined with other projects in recent years, including the recycling center and a new system for capping landfills, lessen the landfill’s impact on the environment.
“All of these projects are a great story for the community,” said Charlie Sedlock, director of waste services at Hamm. “Added taxes, added jobs, added sustainability.”
The Hamm Landfill is five miles north of Lawrence and serves about 500,000 Kansas residents with Lawrence as its largest user base.
Enerdyne Power Systems Commissions RNG Project in Lawrence, KS
On September 20, Enerdyne Power Systems, Inc. commissioned a new project upgrading landfill gas to high-btu pipeline quality natural gas under the name Renewable Power Producers (“RPP”). RPP is located on the Hamm Sanitary Landfill in Lawrence, KS. The facility is designed to process up to 4000 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas and will ultimately supply its renewable natural gas (“RNG”) to meet growing demand in the vehicle fuel market. Based on current production estimates, RPP is expected to produce approximately 5 million gallons of renewable fuel in 2018.
On September 20, Enerdyne Power Systems, Inc. commissioned a new project upgrading landfill gas to high-btu pipeline quality natural gas under the name Renewable Power Producers (“RPP”). RPP is located on the Hamm Sanitary Landfill in Lawrence, KS. The facility is designed to process up to 4000 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas and will ultimately supply its renewable natural gas (“RNG”) to meet growing demand in the vehicle fuel market. Based on current production estimates, RPP is expected to produce approximately 5 million gallons of renewable fuel in 2018.
Enerdyne is the Developer for the Landfill Group, a group of companies offering a complete solution for the conversion of biogas to renewable energy. In addition to developing the project, Enerdyne will retain the role of Project Operator. Also assisting were two other members of the Landfill Group – Advance One Development and Advanced Biogas Systems. Advance One Development oversaw the construction of the landfill gas collection system and Advanced Biogas Systems fabricated much of RPP’s gas treatment equipment including hydrogen sulfide removal, siloxane removal, oxygen removal and dehydration systems.
The commissioning on September 20 was held at the plant site in Lawrence, KS and featured speeches from Charlie Sedlock of Hamm, Inc., Chris Morley of Enerdyne Power Systems, County Commissioner Nancy Thellman, Jim Callier of EPA, State Representative Tom Sloan and David Cox of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
For more information on the Landfill Group, Enerdyne Power Systems, Advance One Development and Advanced Biogas Systems, please visit our website at www.landfillgroup.com.
Renewable Natural Gas plant in Lawrence, KS landfill gives old trash a new purpose
By Rochelle Valverde, Lawrence Journal-World.
The tons of trash buried in the Hamm landfill north of Lawrence are now a source of energy.
A new multimillion-dollar plant at the landfill has begun collecting the harmful greenhouse gas produced by rotting trash and turning it into fuel for natural-gas-powered vehicles.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Hamm officials said that the new plant joins other projects in recent years, including the recycling center and a new system for capping landfills, that lessen the landfill’s impact on the environment.
By Rochelle Valverde, Lawrence Journal-World.
The tons of trash buried in the Hamm landfill north of Lawrence are now a source of energy.
A new multimillion-dollar plant at the landfill has begun collecting the harmful greenhouse gas produced by rotting trash and turning it into fuel for natural-gas-powered vehicles.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Hamm officials said that the new plant joins other projects in recent years, including the recycling center and a new system for capping landfills, that lessen the landfill’s impact on the environment.
“All of these projects are a great story for the community,” said Charlie Sedlock, director of waste services at Hamm. “Added taxes, added jobs, added sustainability.”
The landfill serves about 500,000 Kansas residents, including the City of Lawrence. The new plant collects and processes methane gas, which is released as organic material as trash decomposes. Hamm partnered with Renewable Power Producers, a subsidiary of North Carolina-based Enerdyne, for the $20 million methane gas plant, which includes extraction wells, a gas-processing facility and a seven-mile gas pipeline.
Biogas Upgrading Plant will produce renewable natural gas from wastewater in Guymon, OK
By Kaitlin Johnson, News Channel 10 - Amarillo, TX.
High Plains Bio Energy in Guymon has started operation of their new Biogas Upgrading Plant.
The plant will produce pipeline-quality renewable natural gas that is recovered from wastewater lagoons at the Seaboard Foods pork processing plant in Guymon.