RNG NEWS
Michigan State University produces power from food waste using Anaerobic Digestion, and initiates global research partnerships
By Arlene Karidis, Waste360.
The school's influence stretches far beyond its campus where ongoing research in Costa Rica and other South American countries is exploring methods.
Anaerobic digestion facilities are popping up across the country, including some at college campuses.
By Arlene Karidis, Waste360.
The school's influence stretches far beyond its campus where ongoing research in Costa Rica and other South American countries is exploring methods.
Anaerobic digestion facilities are popping up across the country, including some at college campuses.
Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Mich., is leading with way with a facility that processes between 20,000 and 24,000 tons of food waste annually to generate 380 kilowatts of electricity every hour for the campus, up to 2,800,000 kwH annually.
But Michigan State’s influence stretches far beyond its campus where ongoing research in Costa Rica and other South American countries is exploring methods to address challenging waste streams specific to certain regions.
Icahn receives subpoena on RFS & presidential advisory roles
Houston, 8 November (Argus) — Federal investigators subpoenaed at least three companies for information on investor and former presidential adviser Carl Icahn's "activities relating to the Renewable Fuels Standard," according to corporate disclosures.
Houston, 8 November (Argus) — Federal investigators subpoenaed at least three companies for information on investor and former presidential adviser Carl Icahn's "activities relating to the Renewable Fuels Standard," according to corporate disclosures.
Icahn Enterprises, CVR Energy and CVR Refining were complying with inquiries by the Southern District of New York US Attorney's office, the companies said in quarterly statements.
Icahn was an outspoken critic of US biofuel blending mandates who served as what the administration described as an informal adviser on cutting regulation to President Donald Trump. He abruptly stepped down from that role in August. CVR Energy, in which Icahn holds an 82pc ownership interest, has pushed for changes to the mandates as the refiner's costs to comply with the program have climbed.
U.S. Gain hires Mike Bolin as West Coast Business Development Manager
Via USGasVehicles.com.
U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc., has hired Mike Bolin as a business development manager to oversee current and future opportunities on the west coast in a continuing effort to grow the GAIN Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) network.
Via USGasVehicles.com.
U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc., has hired Mike Bolin as a business development manager to oversee current and future opportunities on the west coast in a continuing effort to grow the GAIN Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) network.
In this position, Bolin will be responsible for continued education to fleets on the benefits of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the various options to access it using Gain’s current network, as well as building out customized solutions throughout the western region of the United States.
“Mike brings more than four decades of fleet knowledge, strategic foresight and customer contacts to our business,” said U.S. Gain President Mike Koel. “He’s a true thought leader, and we’re excited for him to join our team.”
Elementary Students Learn About Renewable Natural Gas with Help from SoCalGas Engineers and College Scholars
Via PRNewsWire.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To interest students from underserved neighborhoods in STEM subjects, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Great Minds in STEM leaders spent today with about 100 fourth graders at Sunny Brae Avenue Elementary School in Winnetka, where Great Minds in STEM team members, SoCalGas engineers, and college students engaged students in hands-on STEM challenges related to natural gas pipeline safety and renewable natural gas. Photos of the event are available
Via PRNewsWire.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To interest students from underserved neighborhoods in STEM subjects, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Great Minds in STEM leaders spent today with about 100 fourth graders at Sunny Brae Avenue Elementary School in Winnetka, where Great Minds in STEM team members, SoCalGas engineers, and college students engaged students in hands-on STEM challenges related to natural gas pipeline safety and renewable natural gas. Photos of the event are available
SoCalGas sponsored the program, "Viva Technology Student Day," created by Great Minds in STEM, a Los Angeles County-based national non-profit that focuses on student populations underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.
"These experiences show students that we need cutting-edge science to meet California's energy needs in the future," said Jimmie Cho, SoCalGas senior vice president of gas operations and system integrity. "We want to get students excited about the science of capturing renewable methane from sources like farm operations, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. Using that biogas both reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and creates additional renewable energy."
L.A., Long Beach ports adopts plan to speed up quest for cleaner air
By Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times.
The nation’s largest port complex approved a plan Thursday to slash air pollution by encouraging the phase-out of diesel trucks in favor of natural gas and, ultimately, zero-emissions trucks and cargo-handling equipment over the next two decades.
By Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times.
The nation’s largest port complex approved a plan Thursday to slash air pollution by encouraging the phase-out of diesel trucks in favor of natural gas and, ultimately, zero-emissions trucks and cargo-handling equipment over the next two decades.
The Clean Air Action Plan, unanimously adopted at a joint meeting of Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor commissioners, provides a framework for transforming the massive hub for freight-moving trucks, trains and ships to cleaner technologies through 2035. But it leaves many details undetermined, including who will pay for up to $14 billion in cleaner trucks and equipment and which industries will benefit.
The plan is the most significant and expensive environmental initiative yet by the ports, which have sought to distinguish themselves from competitors over the last decade by pioneering air quality improvements, some of which have been replicated by other seaports and enshrined by California regulators.
DowDuPont to exit cellulosic biofuels business
By Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest.
In Delaware, DowDuPont announced that it intends to sell its cellulosic biofuels business and its first commercial project, a 30 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant in Nevada, Iowa. The Nevada project is still going through start-up.
By Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest.
In Delaware, DowDuPont announced that it intends to sell its cellulosic biofuels business and its first commercial project, a 30 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant in Nevada, Iowa. The Nevada project is still going through start-up.
In an official statement, the company said:
As part of DowDuPont’s intent to create a leading Specialty Products Company, we are making a strategic shift in how we participate in the cellulosic biofuels market. While we still believe in the future of cellulosic biofuels we have concluded it is in our long-term interest to find a strategic buyer for our technology including the Nevada, IA biorefinery.
We will continue to participate in the overall biofuels market through specialty offerings including biofuel enzymes and engineered yeast solutions that improve yield and productivity for biofuel producers. We plan to work closely with local, state and federal partners to assure a smooth transition as we pursue the sale of the business. All affected employees will receive support services during this transition.
House Republicans Unveil Tax Reform Bill
On Thursday, November 2, 2017, House Republicans released the legislative text of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill would make a host of significant changes to the U.S. tax code for both individuals and businesses. Provisions of particular note for renewable natural gas stakeholders:
- Reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%.
- Provides immediate expensing for capital investments and limits the deductibility of interest expenses to 30% of pre-tax earnings, with some exceptions.
- Interest on private activity bonds would be taxable starting in 2008.
- The bill is silent on the credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, the second generation biofuel credit, and the alternative fuel credit that expired at the end of 2016. Thus, the provisions are assumed to remain lapsed.
- The legislation makes several changes to the Section 45 Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Section 48 Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Specifically, H.R. 1:
- Repeals the inflation update on the PTC for tax years after November 2, 2017. Thus, the credit rate would be 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. H.R. 1 does not otherwise modify the phase-out for wind projects or the credit lapse for non-wind renewable technologies enacted in 2015.
- Modifies the ITC to provide micorturbines, fuel cells, combined heat and power, and small wind energy the same treatment provided to solar energy under current law (phased-down between now and 2021). The bill also repeals the permanent 10% ITC for solar and geothermal after 2027.
- For both the PTC and ITC, the legislation modifies the begin construction standard that triggers credit eligibility to require continuous construction.
Process:
The House Committee on Ways and Means is expected to begin consideration of H.R. 1 on Monday, November 6, 2017, and House Leadership has indicated a desire to consider the legislation in the full House the week of November 13, 2017. Concurrently, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to unveil its version of tax reform, which is widely anticipated to differ from the House package, the week of November 13, 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled his intention to consider tax reform legislation prior to Thanksgiving. That noted, the situation on timing remains fluid, and could be modified based on the feedback and concerns of elected officials.
Below are links to the summary of the House tax bill prepared by the House Ways and Means Majority staff and a link to the text of H.R. 1.
Bill Summary:
https://waysandmeansforms.house.gov/uploadedfiles/tax_cuts_and_jobs_act_section_by_section_hr1.pdf
Bill Text:
https://waysandmeansforms.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bill_text.pdf
Utah to Reduce Emissions Along the Wasatch Front by Replacing Diesel Trucks & Buses
By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Utah Department of Environmental Quality a $2.3 million grant under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program to reduce diesel emissions from heavy-duty trucks and school buses based in several counties along the Wasatch Front, an area challenged by levels of particulate matter that exceed federal air quality standards.
By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Utah Department of Environmental Quality a $2.3 million grant under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program to reduce diesel emissions from heavy-duty trucks and school buses based in several counties along the Wasatch Front, an area challenged by levels of particulate matter that exceed federal air quality standards.
"EPA’s clean diesel grants support local and regional efforts to secure healthier air in our communities," said EPA Regional Administrator, Doug Benevento. "Over the past decade, the state of Utah has established exemplary partnerships with local governments and businesses to prioritize clean diesel investments and retrofit and replace high-emitting vehicles. EPA will continue to support our partners as they address air quality challenges along the Wasatch Front."
"In addition to the air quality benefits that result from these projects, DEQ appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with different organizations to upgrade their fleets," said DEQ Executive Director, Alan Matheson. "This funding assistance is a win-win for Utah businesses and the local airshed."
Utah DEQ will use the EPA clean diesel grant to replace short and long-haul diesel trucks with current model year vehicles that have the most stringent emissions standards available at the time of replacement. In addition, several diesel school buses will be replaced with current model year school buses powered by clean diesel, low-NOx, compressed natural gas engines or propane. The majority of these vehicles will operate in Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah and Weber counties, all designated nonattainment for particulate matter.
Read more...
Long Beach Transit to Purchase 40 CNG Bus Engines
By Joseph Bebon, NGT News.
Long Beach Transit (LBT) has received a $600,000 grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Near Zero Incentive Program for the purchase of 40 “near zero” compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.
The Long Beach, Calif.-based transit agency says the engines are upgrades to a recent bus procurement, as the “near zero” engines were not available when the purchase was authorized in 2016.
By Joseph Bebon, NGT News.
Long Beach Transit (LBT) has received a $600,000 grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Near Zero Incentive Program for the purchase of 40 “near zero” compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.
The Long Beach, Calif.-based transit agency says the engines are upgrades to a recent bus procurement, as the “near zero” engines were not available when the purchase was authorized in 2016.
According to LBT, the buses will be equipped with the Cummins Westport 8.9 liter engine that is certified by the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet or exceed optional and more stringent near zero standards.
View the Full Press Release HERE.
Scott Pruitt Plans to Dismiss EPA's Expert Scientific Advisors
By Michael Biesecker, AP, via TIME.
(WASHINGTON) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday he intends to replace the outside experts that advise him on science and public health issues with new board members holding more diverse views.
In announcing the changes, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt suggested many previously appointed to the panels were potentially biased because they had received federal research grants. The 22 boards advise EPA on a wide range of issues, including drinking water standards and pesticide safety.
By Michael Biesecker, AP, via TIME.
(WASHINGTON) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday he intends to replace the outside experts that advise him on science and public health issues with new board members holding more diverse views.
In announcing the changes, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt suggested many previously appointed to the panels were potentially biased because they had received federal research grants. The 22 boards advise EPA on a wide range of issues, including drinking water standards and pesticide safety.
“Whatever science comes out of EPA shouldn’t be political science,” said Pruitt, a Republican lawyer who previously served as the attorney general of Oklahoma. “From this day forward, EPA advisory committee members will be financially independent from the agency.”
Pruitt has expressed skepticism about the consensus of climate scientists that man-made carbon emissions are the primary cause of global warming. He also overruled experts that had recommended pulling a top-selling pesticide from the market after peer-reviewed studies showed it damaged children’s brains.