RNG NEWS
EPA Issues Interpretation of its RFS Periodic Review Obligations
On November 30, U.S. EPA published a document titled "Periodic Reviews for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” describing EPA's interpretation of its requirement under the RFS [in 42 U.S.C. §7545(o)(11)] to conduct periodic reviews of existing technologies and the feasibility of compliance with the RFS related to prescribed volume requirements [in paragraph (o)(2)(B)].
On November 30, U.S. EPA published a document titled "Periodic Reviews for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” describing EPA's interpretation of its requirement under the RFS [in 42 U.S.C. §7545(o)(11)] to conduct periodic reviews of existing technologies and the feasibility of compliance with the RFS related to prescribed volume requirements [in paragraph (o)(2)(B)].
The document explains how EPA has fulfilled its obligation to conduct these reviews to date, which has largely been through its consideration and application of its waiver authority. EPA’s notice does not explain the impetus for issuing this interpretation, aside from noting certain ambiguities in the statutory language.
View more information on EPA’s interpretation in the document HERE.
Texas Governor Asks EPA for Additional Waivers Under RFS
On December 1, the day after EPA issued its final 2018 standards under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, Governor Abbott (R) of Texas sent a letter to EPA Administrator Pruitt requesting EPA use its general waiver authority, citing the number of refiners in the State of Texas allegedly being harmed by high RIN prices. The letter appears to be limited to a request that EPA reduce the D6 requirements (sometimes referred to as the implied “conventional biofuel” requirement) under the RFS to 9.7% of the gasoline pool.
This letter is in addition to a similar letter sent by the Governor of Pennsylvania in November, which also cited the economic impacts on refiners in the state. EPA has since indicated it will respond to the Pennsylvania Governor’s request in a separate action.
EPA Finalizes Denial of Requests to Change “Point of Obligation”
On November 30, U.S. EPA published its final determination to deny requests to change the “point of obligation” under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The decision was consistent with EPA Administrator Pruitt’s earlier indications, including an October 2017 letter to seven Senators.
Previous requests generally sought to move compliance with the RFS volume requirements from refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel to entities downstream (e.g., “position holders” at the rack). The decision re-affirmed that EPA's existing definition of “obligated party” applies “in all years going forward unless and until it is revised.”
On November 30, U.S. EPA published its final determination to deny requests to change the “point of obligation” under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The decision was consistent with EPA Administrator Pruitt’s earlier indications, including an October 2017 letter to seven Senators.
Previous requests generally sought to move compliance with the RFS volume requirements from refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel to entities downstream (e.g., “position holders” at the rack). The decision re-affirmed that EPA's existing definition of “obligated party” applies “in all years going forward unless and until it is revised.”
Among the several reasons identified in support of its denial was that EPA did not believe a change in the definition of obligated party would result in increased investment in cellulosic biofuels. The denial constitutes final agency action that is judicially reviewable under 42 U.S.C. §7607(b) of the Clean Air Act, id., and there are already several cases involving this issue.
View more information on EPA’s determination HERE.
French utility Engie plans to switch all of its gas operations to biogas and renewable hydrogen by 2050
By Geert De Clercq, Reuters.
PARIS - French utility Engie plans to switch all of its gas operations to biogas and renewable hydrogen by 2050, making it 100 percent green, its chief executive said on Monday.
By Geert De Clercq, Reuters.
PARIS - French utility Engie plans to switch all of its gas operations to biogas and renewable hydrogen by 2050, making it 100 percent green, its chief executive said on Monday.
The power and gas group has some 70 biogas projects worldwide, including 40 in France, and says that if all its projects get approval its annual investment in biogas could soar tenfold to hundreds of millions of euros per year.
Engie, which has sold its fossil gas activities as part of a broader restructuring, is also looking to invest in industrial-scale hydrogen production by electrolyze water in places where solar energy is cheap.
Oil and gas companies to engage in voluntary program to reduce methane emissions
By Amy Harder, Axios.
The American Petroleum Institute is announcing today a new voluntary program to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and other air pollution from oil and natural gas wells.
Why it matters: This is the first time in API's nearly 100-year history that it has launched a program to cut air pollution. It's also the most concrete sign climate change is becoming a significant mainstream concern within the disparate oil and gas industry. Moves like this by trade groups represent the lowest, not highest, common denominator for positions within any given sector.
By Amy Harder, Axios.
The American Petroleum Institute is announcing today a new voluntary program to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and other air pollution from oil and natural gas wells.
Why it matters: This is the first time in API's nearly 100-year history that it has launched a program to cut air pollution. It's also the most concrete sign climate change is becoming a significant mainstream concern within the disparate oil and gas industry. Moves like this by trade groups represent the lowest, not highest, common denominator for positions within any given sector.
Between the lines: Don't expect climate change per se to be a big part of the Tuesday rollout or its website. The talking points are centered broadly on "the environment." Such rhetoric is in line with most Republicans and the Trump administration when it comes to climate change.
Increase in Heavy Duty Natural Gas Use from Refuse Industry
Via Monitor Daily.
According to an outlook from ACT Research and Rhein Associates, there has been an increase in heavy duty natural gas use from the refuse industry, which has been adding new natural gas-powered trucks in significant volume.
Via Monitor Daily.
According to an outlook from ACT Research and Rhein Associates, there has been an increase in heavy duty natural gas use from the refuse industry, which has been adding new natural gas-powered trucks in significant volume.
The outlook is designed to present historical trends, current activity and forecasts of engine demand in on-highway commercial vehicles. It analyzes significant trends in engine displacement, engine type (diesel, gasoline, natural gas and other), captive versus non-captive engines, and premium versus non-premium power for Class 8 vehicles.
The refuse industry leads in converting vehicles to natural gas. Key players in the refuse market are intent on furthering a progressive, green image.
What Happens to Renewable Energies in the Tax Bills? What's Next in the Tax Reform Process...
Tax credits for solar, wind and EVs fare differently in the House and Senate bills. The industry says some changes would be devastating, but the fight isn’t over.
By Georgina Gustin, Inside Climate News.
The Senate voted early Saturday to approve a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code that critics say would decimate clean energy investments while continuing to hand out tax breaks to the oil and gas industries.
Tax credits for solar, wind and EVs fare differently in the House and Senate bills. The industry says some changes would be devastating, but the fight isn’t over.
By Georgina Gustin, Inside Climate News.
The Senate voted early Saturday to approve a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code that critics say would decimate clean energy investments while continuing to hand out tax breaks to the oil and gas industries.
The sweeping tax system overhaul bill—which represents the biggest corporate tax cut in the country's history and would reach into many areas of American lives—also contains language that would open the door for oil and gas companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The Next Step To Combating Climate Change Could Be Found In America's Landfills
By Cummins Westport, via A Plus.
Sometimes, clean solutions can be found in surprisingly dirty places.
The average American throws five pounds of trash a day into landfills, according to a 2015 Yale study, partially funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and published in the Nature Climate Change journal. In 2013, that added up to 294 million tons. That's a lot of trash, but there's one amazing thing we can do with it: convert it to biogas.
California's Holy-Cow Idea: State wants its dairy farms to capture methane and sell it as truck fuel
By Bloomberg.
"California Regulates Cow Farts," is how a New York Post headline put it, implying it was a wacky move by Governor Jerry Brown. In fact, California's methane law represents a serious attempt by America's biggest dairy state to come to grips with a potent greenhouse gas.
By Bloomberg.
"California Regulates Cow Farts," is how a New York Post headline put it, implying it was a wacky move by Governor Jerry Brown. In fact, California's methane law represents a serious attempt by America's biggest dairy state to come to grips with a potent greenhouse gas.
Methane is responsible for about a quarter of human-generated global warming. While it's not nearly as prevalent as carbon dioxide, and it breaks down in the atmosphere faster, methane is many times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat. And avoiding a man-made climate catastrophe will require limiting emissions from farms as well as oil and gas pipelines, landfills, and other sources.
GreenBiz: Renewable gas - the hot new fuel from animal waste?
By Cassandra Sweet, GreenBiz.
Renewable natural gas is an increasingly popular fuel for transportation companies, thanks to valuable renewable energy credits that can be sold separately, and gas prices that have stayed well below those of diesel.
By Cassandra Sweet, GreenBiz.
Renewable natural gas is an increasingly popular fuel for transportation companies, thanks to valuable renewable energy credits that can be sold separately, and gas prices that have stayed well below those of diesel.
UPS said it has signed agreements buy 11.5 million gallons a year of renewable natural gas (RNG) through 2024, from Big Ox Energy and AMP Energy. The fuel, shipped in gas form through ordinary natural gas pipelines, will be used to fuel UPS trucks that travel the longest distances, 600 miles per route or longer, and that already are equipped with engines that run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
UPS will use the RNG to fuel natural gas-fueled trucks at its own service stations in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; New Stanton and Horsham, Pennsylvania; Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia; West Columbia, South Carolina; and Doraville, Georgia.