Statement from the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas Regarding EPA Release of Final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard Volume Obligations

Washington, DC - On November 30, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rule setting the final 2018 volume obligations under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

Johannes Escudero, the Executive Director of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), issued the following statement in response to the final rule.

“The final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) of 288 million gallons for cellulosic biofuels represents an increase from the proposed RVO that will allow the RNG industry to continue delivering America’s cellulosic biofuel – renewable natural gas – and yielding positive economic, environmental and transportation benefits in communities across the nation. America’s renewable natural gas industry has demonstrated the ability to produce steadily increasing volumes of cellulosic biofuels, and we stand ready to meet this obligation.”

In raising the cellulosic biofuel volume from the proposed rule, EPA gave recognition to the growth in renewable natural gas production, noting on page 26 of the Final Rule that:

“EPA received a number of affidavits from companies that produce (or intend to produce) CNG/LNG derived from biogas as comments on our proposed rule. These affidavits are publicly available as part of the comments submitted by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. EPA reviewed and considered the information contained in these affidavits in establishing the required volume of cellulosic biofuel for 2018. These affidavits confirmed that it was reasonable to believe that the relatively high year-over-year rate of growth used to project volumes of CNG/LNG derived from biogas for 2018 could be achieved based on a number of project expansions and new projects expected to begin producing CNG/LNG derived from biogas in 2018.”

“Going forward, we will continue to engage the agency in a constructive manner and work to improve the methodology that is utilized in setting the RFS program’s cellulosic volume targets,” said Escudero.

The RNG Coalition is the trade association representing companies and organizations dedicated to the advancement of RNG as an ultra-clean, domestically-produced fuel. The RNG industry captures methane emitted by organic wastes at landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural digesters and commercial food waste facilities and refines the captured biogas into RNG. RNG is fully fungible with conventional natural gas infrastructure and is used as a direct substitute for most natural gas applications. Ninety-eight (98) percent of the fuel produced and consumed to meet the RFS program’s cellulosic biofuel requirement is RNG.

RNG Coalition celebrates new projects, launches video

Via Biomass Magazine.

The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) recently recognized six companies for their development roles in seven renewable natural gas (RNG) projects completed in 2017 across the U.S. heartland, and launched a new educational video to commence the North American RNG industry’s annual conference program in Dana Point, California.

The video will help to further educate energy industry decision-makers and policy-makers on the economic, environmental, and domestic energy security benefits of development and utilization of RNG.

Companies and projects recognized during today’s ceremony include:

- Ameresco (Woodland Meadows, Michigan)

- Aria Energy (2: Butler County, NE and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

- Enerdyne Power Systems (Lawrence, Kansas)

- Morrow Renewables (2: Melissa Landfill and Pine Hill Landfill, Texas)

- Republic Services (Pine Hill, Texas)

- Roeslein Alternative Energy (Valley View Farm, Missouri)

In response to the recognition, Rudi Roeslein, president of Roeslein Alternative Energy and CEO of Roeslein & Associates, said, “The accomplishments to date are the results of the hard work and perseverance of our team, and the resolve of our company and Smithfield Foods to make this project a successful example of how a waste stream considered a liability can be turned into a beneficial source of renewable energy.”

He added that the project creates dozens of new local jobs, pays hundreds of thousands in local taxes, and affirms Smithfield’s continued commitment to preserve the $1.5 billion economic impact in the Missouri region through its more than $100 million investment. 

“The challenges of developing two simultaneous projects have been offset by working with experienced landfill partners and supportive off-take partners, enabling Aria Energy to successfully complete two projects this year,” said Richard DiGia, president and CEO of Aria Energy. “When delivered for use in vehicles, the combined production of the projects reduce carbon emissions by over 55,000 tons per year.”

“We believe in leading by example in everything we do,” said Andy Shipe, vice president, business development at Republic Services. “Whenever possible, at our landfills, that means harnessing energy from yesterday’s waste and converting it into a renewable resource that meets tomorrow’s fuel and energy needs.”

For Morrow Renewables, who partnered with Republic Services on the Pine Hill project, it is one of eight high-Btu facilities developed by the company in the U.S.

“‘High-Btu’ shows that this project offers the same carbon reduction as that of over 182,000 acres of forest annually, which is also the equivalent of removing the carbon dioxide emissions from almost 22 million gallons of gasoline annually,” said Luke Morrow, president of Morrow Renewables.

“At the Waste Management, Woodland Meadows landfill in Canton, Michigan, Ameresco built and operates a biogas-to-RNG facility to convert approximately 6600 SCFM of landfill gas to 3500 deca-therms of RNG every day,” said Michael Bakas, executive vice president, Ameresco. “The plant utilizes gas treatment technologies from Guild Technologies and PSB industries,” he said. “Once the gas is injected into the local natural gas pipeline and eventually sold into the vehicle fuel market, it produces more than 14 million credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RINs).”

The seven projects bring the number of RNG facilities in North America to 62, up from 48 at the time of the industry’s 2015 conference. With more than 20 new RNG projects scheduled for completion by the end of 2018, the industry is on pace to meet and potentially surpass the RNG Coalition’s goal to double the number of RNG projects in North America in just ten years to 100 or more by 2025.

“It’s amazing to see the growth and advancement of the landfill gas industry, in particular for production of Renewable Natural Gas,” said William Brinker, managing director of Enerdyne Power Systems. “And we believe the RNG Coalition has played a tremendous role in achieving such growth.”

The RNG 2017 Conference will run through Thursday, November 30. The 316 preregistered conference attendees, representing over 150 companies, sets a new high mark for the RNG industry’s annual event.

Access the new RNG educational video at http://www.rngcoalition.com/what-is-rng/.

Initial RNG Coalition statement on EPA's Final 2018 Renewable Fuel Volumes

"The final 2018 RVO represents an increase from the proposed RVO that will allow the RNG industry to continue delivering America's cellulosic biofuel -- renewable natural gas -- and make a difference in our communities, improving air quality, public health and local economies across North America," said Johannes Escudero, Executive Director and CEO of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition). "The RNG Coalition and industry are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in renewable natural gas production facilities while creating thousands of jobs that work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate methane and sequester carbon across the country."

Landfill Gas Collection Firm Loci Controls Lands Financing

By Waste 360.

Loci Controls, the firm specializing in automated landfill gas collection, announced tthat Turnbridge Capital, a Texas-based private equity firm focused on investments in energy service and equipment providers, has led, alongside the company’s existing shareholders and management team, an equity financing and additional equity commitment to support Loci’s growth and expansion.

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U.S. Gain promotes Bryan Nudelbacher and Hardy Sawall to drive continued growth in renewable natural gas industry

Appleton, Wis. – November 28, 2017 – U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc., has announced the promotion of Bryan Nudelbacher and Hardy Sawall as directors of business development within the renewable natural gas (RNG) sector of the business.

In their new positions, Nudelbacher and Sawall will pursue partnerships with RNG project developers, seek out projects that U.S. Gain can invest in, and negotiate RNG supply contracts from project developers to service U.S. Gain’s growing compressed natural gas (CNG) dispensing capacity.

Both serve the company as subject matter experts on renewable identification numbers (RINS), and the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) programs.

“Moving Bryan and Hardy into these roles is indicative of the growth of our RNG business and increased focus on sustainability,” said U.S. Gain President Mike Koel. “They are highly invested in meeting with proper agencies to discuss changes in the RFS program as it relates to D3 RINS. We’re excited to have them executing our business strategy, as well as to support them in the next step of their careers.” 

Nudelbacher has worked for U.S. Gain since 2011 and was a part of the team that started U.S. Gain. He worked previously as the business development manager, leading significant growth in U.S. Gain’s CNG business throughout the Midwest in addition to implementing the company’s natural gas pricing and supply strategy for U.S. Gain’s nationwide network of CNG stations. He successfully negotiated contracts with fleets and shippers, resulting in more than $25 million of margin and 50 million gallons under contract. He also implemented the company’s first-ever virtual pipeline project to transport CNG via tube trailers to a mobile asphalt plant. Nudelbacher earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Sawall has been working in the renewable fuels industry for the last 12 years, including biodiesel, ethanol, renewable diesel and renewable natural gas. Prior to joining U.S. Gain in 2012, Sawall served as the president of Fusion Renewables and grew sales from $3 million in 2010 to $67 million in 2011. He has a background in managing terminal operations and biodiesel distribution in the Midwest. Sawall earned his master’s degree in geological engineering and a bachelor’s degree in geoenvironmental engineering from Michigan Tech.

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About U.S. Gain

U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc. is a leading Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) provider offering fleet operators access to GAIN®Clean Fuel, an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional fuel options. GAIN® Clean Fuel stations are strategically located for carriers along major shipping corridors and provide easy-access, fast-fill capabilities.

About U.S. Venture

For over 60 years, U.S. Venture, Inc. has been recognized as an innovative leader in the distribution of petroleum and renewable energy products, lubricants, and tires and parts for the automotive aftermarket. Guided by its company vision, “To be the very best value-adding distributor of products that vehicles consume in North America,” they deliver unconventional, creative solutions that give their customers a competitive edge. Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, the company’s business divisions are U.S. Oil, U.S. AutoForce®, U.S. Lubricants and U.S. Gain.                                             

Baltimore/Washington Airport Introduces CNG-Powered Buses

By AirportsInternational.com

The first of 20-new compressed natural gas-powered buses have entered service Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

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Landi Renzo and Clean Energy Combine Compressor Businesses

New Company Well-Positioned To Take Advantage Of Move From Diesel To Natural Gas

CAVRIAGO, ITALY and NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., U.S.A. – Landi Renzo S.p.a. and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced today that the two companies are combining their compressor manufacturing subsidiaries to form a new standalone company that will immediately become one of the leading suppliers of natural gas compressors and other related products across the entire globe. Landi Renzo’s SAFE, with a strong presence in Europe and Asia, and Clean Energy Compression, which is well established in the North and South America markets, will combine manufacturing and support operations and equip an international sales team with an expanded line of quality compressors featuring the latest technologies.

Upon closing, which is anticipated before the end of the year, Landi Renzo will own 51% of the new company and take over operational management, while Clean Energy will retain a 49% ownership. Andrew J. Littlefair, President and CEO of Clean Energy, will serve as the chairman of the board. The combined company will be headquartered in San Giovanni Persiceto (BO), Italy and retain Clean Energy’s manufacturing operation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

“The world is rapidly waking up to the harmful impact that diesel is having on air quality,” said Cristiano Musi, who is currently Group CEO of Landi Renzo and will also be the CEO of the new company. “Natural gas is an obvious alternative for vehicles because it burns much cleaner, is plentiful around the world and there is a growing engine portfolio to choose from. This newly formed compressor company will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of the trend towards natural gas with a global footprint and a great product offering.”

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Cows to fuel Middlebury College green energy initiative

By the Associated Press, via The Sacramento Bee.

MIDDLEBURY, VT.   Cows are going to fuel Middlebury College's effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

Middlebury announced it's contracting with a 2,200-acre farm with 900 cows that plans to turn waste into gas to provide energy.

David Provost, an executive vice president, says the project will allow Middlebury to further reduce dependence on carbon-based fuels.

The project is currently in the permitting phase.

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UC Riverside Study to Evaluate Best Ways to Achieve California’s Renewable Energy Targets

Study is funded by a $146,000 grant from Southern California Gas Co.By Richard Chang, UCR Today.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) — What are the best ways to achieve California’s renewable energy targets?

That’s the answer Arun Raju, director of the Center for Renewable Natural Gas at UC Riverside, is searching for. Raju recently received a $146,000 grant from Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) to examine the proposed 100 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and explore options that can help achieve emission reduction goals more efficiently and at lower costs.

State officials have approved requirements for the power grid to consist of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. However, discussions also are underway in Sacramento to further tighten those requirements to 50 percent as early as 2025 and 100 percent by 2045.

“California has some of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the world,” Raju said. “The good news is that significant progress has been made. But the enhanced targets – if enacted – will require substantial efforts over the next two decades.”

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Greenhouse gas auction results show California cap-and-trade back on track

By David Baker, San Francisco Chronicle.

Its fate uncertain just a few months ago, California’s cap-and-trade system for reining in greenhouse gas emissions appears to have pulled out of its slump.

Results released Tuesday from the latest quarterly auction of cap-and-trade allowances — essentially, permits that allow a business to emit greenhouse gases — showed that all the allowances sold, with a closing price slightly higher than the previous auction’s.

The price for emitting a metric ton of greenhouse gases in California now stands at $15.06, up from $14.75 in the August auction. In the most recent auction, held Nov. 14, 79.5 million allowances were purchased for the program’s current compliance period, while buyers also snapped up 9.7 million allowances that can be used in future years.

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