RNG NEWS
Brazil establishes national biofuels policy
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
Brazilian President Michel Temer has approved legislation creating RenovaBio, a new national biofuels policy. The law was published in the official federal gazette of Brazil on Dec. 26. The Brazilian Senate approved the bill on Dec. 12.
RenovaBio aims to increase the use of all biofuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and biomethane, in Brazil with the aim of increasing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
How EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program has supported LFG to Energy projects
By Arlene Karidis, Waste 360.
As of 2016, there were 648 landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) projects in the U.S., and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has supported many of them. Its partners are communities, landfill owners and operators, utilities, power marketers, states, project developers, tribes and nonprofit organizations.
By Arlene Karidis, Waste 360.
As of 2016, there were 648 landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) projects in the U.S., and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has supported many of them. Its partners are communities, landfill owners and operators, utilities, power marketers, states, project developers, tribes and nonprofit organizations.
The voluntary program, which launched in 1994, has grown to 1,100 partners who tap into varied supports, sometimes to develop first-of-a-kind projects that have gone on to serve as industry models.
“As the industry matured, LMOP has focused on the development and dissemination of technical tools and resources, including a comprehensive database on landfill gas-to-energy projects and candidate landfills, a cost-estimating tool that provides an initial economic feasibly analysis for developing a landfill gas-to-energy project and a handbook that provides an overview of energy project development,” says Kirsten Cappel, LMOP program manager.
U.S. Gain hires new marketing manager Stephanie Lowney
By USGasVehicles.com.
U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc., is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephanie Lowney as the division’s marketing manager.
By USGasVehicles.com.
U.S. Gain, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc., is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephanie Lowney as the division’s marketing manager.
In the position, Lowney will focus on helping customers achieve their sustainability objectives by communicating the environmental and economic benefits of implementing GAIN Clean Fuels within customers’ operations, and sharing the differentiated value proposition to position GAIN as the trusted clean fuel advisor and partner through a variety of strategic marketing initiatives.
Longmont, CO Awarded $1M for Project to Convert Sewage Treatment Gas to RNG Fuel
By City of Longmont, Colorado.
In 2018, the City of Longmont will begin construction of a project at its Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to make fuel from gas produced in the treatment of Longmont's sewage. The project will convert dirty biogas (generated through anaerobic digestion) into clean Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The RNG produced will then be used to power the City’s trash trucks. Longmont will be the first city on Colorado's eastern slope to convert biogas to vehicle fuel.
By City of Longmont, Colorado.
In 2018, the City of Longmont will begin construction of a project at its Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to make fuel from gas produced in the treatment of Longmont's sewage. The project will convert dirty biogas (generated through anaerobic digestion) into clean Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). The RNG produced will then be used to power the City’s trash trucks. Longmont will be the first city on Colorado's eastern slope to convert biogas to vehicle fuel.
The project will require new biogas cleaning equipment at the WWTP and fueling infrastructure. To support this effort, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs recently awarded the City with a $1,000,000 grant to offset a portion of the capital costs required. Upon completion of the RNG fueling station in 2019, 11 of the City’s 16 diesel trash trucks will be replaced with trucks capable of using RNG fuel (this change-out aligns with the existing replacement schedule for those trucks). The remaining five diesel trucks will be replaced in 2021. The Colorado Regional Air Quality Council awarded the City with a grant for $35,000 per truck ($385,000 total) to cover 80% of the difference in cost between an RNG truck and a diesel truck.
When the project is complete, it is estimated that the City will be offsetting over 60,000 gallons of fossil fuels annually, reducing greenhouse gases by nearly 800 metric tons of CO2-eq per year. The project will also eliminate the variability in fuel costs for trash services and provide a revenue stream to fund future WWTP projects through the sale of federal renewable fuel credits.
The RNG fueling station is an example of the City pursuing an innovative project that provides economic value to the community while also aligning with multiple goals in the Envision Longmont & Sustainability Plans. Learn more about these goals at LongmontColorado.gov/community/sustainability.
Plans for redevelopment of Hartford, CT recycling facility call for both Anaerobic Digestion and Waste-to-Energy
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Connecticut's Department of Environmental Protection has selected the Sacyr Rooney Recovery Team to redevelop Hartford's Materials Innovation and Recycle Authority (MIRA) waste-to-energy facility, as reported by the Hartford Courant. The team comprises the Spanish company Sacry, Manhattan Construction Group, Synagro and CWPM.
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Connecticut's Department of Environmental Protection has selected the Sacyr Rooney Recovery Team to redevelop Hartford's Materials Innovation and Recycle Authority (MIRA) waste-to-energy facility, as reported by the Hartford Courant. The team comprises the Spanish company Sacry, Manhattan Construction Group, Synagro and CWPM.
The plan calls for recycling an estimated 40% of incoming waste, either through anaerobic digestion, composting or enhanced recycling technologies. The remainder would be processed via combustion. Sacyr Rooney must now reach a final agreement with Hartford, which DEEP hopes will happen by August, before the plan can proceed. he developer would need a year to obtain permits and two years for construction, with a target of 2022 for full operation.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin promised to fight the plan or negotiate for additional environmental protections and higher payments to the city. Bronin said that incinerating and processing trash could not be "the highest and best use for approximately 100 acres of riverfront land." DEEP officials say the developer's plan would result in lower tipping fees and contract rates for customers.
Twin Cities, MN region struggles with capacity for organic waste
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Compost facilities in the Twin Cities region are struggling with capacity and material management, as reported by the Star Tribune. Data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency shows that food waste being composted in the region has nearly quadrupled since 2010.
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Compost facilities in the Twin Cities region are struggling with capacity and material management, as reported by the Star Tribune. Data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency shows that food waste being composted in the region has nearly quadrupled since 2010.
Most compostable material in the region goes to just two facilities in the cities of Shakopee and Rosemount. Specialized Environmental Technologies (SET), the facility in Rosemount, is working to double its capacity for food waste, but Kevin Nordby, a co-owner of the company, appears pessimistic. "That capacity is basically going to be full as soon as I finish the construction," Nordby told the Star Tribune.
Nora Goldstein, editor of BioCycle, told Waste Dive these kinds of capacity challenges can happen depending on how well cities or regions prepare their organics infrastructure before implementing diversion goals. "But it's not necessarily like you need to step in and build 500-ton-a-day facilities," she said. "It's really looking at the capabilities and the infrastructure that you have. That's where it's this combination of anaerobic digestion and composting, in cities."
Element Markets, LLC Recognized by Environmental Finance for Work in Biogas & Renewable Fuel Marketplace
Element Markets tops Environmental Finance's annual market ranking with three wins in the Renewable Identification Certificates category.
By Element Markets, via PRNewsWire.
HOUSTON, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 2017 18th Annual Environmental Finance Market Rankings, Element Markets, LLC ("Element Markets") was honored for its work in the renewable fuel credit marketplace with three awards:
- Best Trading Company – Renewable Identification Certificates
- Best Advisory – Renewable Identification Certificates
- Best Broker - Renewable Identification Certificates
Element Markets tops Environmental Finance's annual market ranking with three wins in the Renewable Identification Certificates category.
By Element Markets, via PRNewsWire.
HOUSTON, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 2017 18th Annual Environmental Finance Market Rankings, Element Markets, LLC ("Element Markets") was honored for its work in the renewable fuel credit marketplace with three awards:
- Best Trading Company – Renewable Identification Certificates
- Best Advisory – Renewable Identification Certificates
- Best Broker - Renewable Identification Certificates
"Element Markets is one of the largest independent generators of D3 RINs and renewable natural gas-based LCFS Credits in the US. We have worked closely with renewable natural gas producers and obligated parties over the years to create long-term solutions designed to reduce volatility and manage risk in the renewable fuel credit markets. Given that we were nominated and recognized by our peers and clients, these awards are especially meaningful to us," said Angela Schwarz, President and CEO of Element Markets.
Xergi biogas plant wins Sustainable Ireland Award
By Xergi.
The biogas plant in Northern Ireland, Tully Quarry, close to the town of Ballymena, is currently producing biogas from 100 per cent chicken litter. At the awards ceremony Sustainable Ireland Awards, the unique Xergi project won the award for the year's best project in the energy production category.
By Xergi.
The biogas plant in Northern Ireland, Tully Quarry, close to the town of Ballymena, is currently producing biogas from 100 per cent chicken litter. At the awards ceremony Sustainable Ireland Awards, the unique Xergi project won the award for the year's best project in the energy production category.
It was a very excited director, Kevin Fitzduff, from the company Stream BioEnergy Ltd, who received the award "Best Energy Generation Award" when the year's most sustainable projects on the Irish island were in the spotlight at the awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast.
The awards ceremony is organised by the magazine Sustainable Ireland, which focuses on sustainable solutions on the Irish island.
"It has taken eight years to put the project together, and I'm very pleased that we finally got the plant up and running. We are producing energy now, and we are very pleased that we were nominated," said Kevin Fitzduff at the awards ceremony.
Turning trash into cash: Converting landfill gas to renewable natural gas creates new revenue
By Valerie Wigglesworth, Dallas News.
MELISSA — Luke Morrow looked at the 30-foot-tall candlestick flare at the Collin County landfill and saw dollar signs disappearing.
"We are burning money, and it's very painful," said the president of Morrow Renewables, which started the final phase of testing earlier this month at the landfill's new gas-to-energy plant. The plant became operational on Dec. 15.
By Valerie Wigglesworth, Dallas News.
MELISSA — Luke Morrow looked at the 30-foot-tall candlestick flare at the Collin County landfill and saw dollar signs disappearing.
"We are burning money, and it's very painful," said the president of Morrow Renewables, which started the final phase of testing earlier this month at the landfill's new gas-to-energy plant. The plant became operational on Dec. 15.
The flare burns off the gas generated by the decomposing solid waste at the landfill. It also helps control landfill odors. But with Morrow's help, that waste stream will now be a revenue stream.
The plant converts landfill gas into renewable natural gas, which will be fed into a pipeline for use at vehicle fueling stations. The technology has been around for some time, but it wasn't until recently that the Collin County landfill produced enough gas to make the project financially feasible.
Waste Management shows reduced emissions & goal for more waste-based fuel in company's annual sustainability report
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Waste Management operated 6,100 trucks that run on natural gas as of the end of Q3, according to the company's 2017 sustainability report update, compared to around 5,100 at the end of 2016. Already, Waste Management has surpassed its 2020 goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15%. Emissions had been reduced 26% in 2016 using a 2007 baseline.
By Cody Boteler, Waste Dive.
Waste Management operated 6,100 trucks that run on natural gas as of the end of Q3, according to the company's 2017 sustainability report update, compared to around 5,100 at the end of 2016. Already, Waste Management has surpassed its 2020 goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15%. Emissions had been reduced 26% in 2016 using a 2007 baseline.
The company has a goal of recycling 20 million tons of material annually by 2020. In 2016, Waste Management recycled 14.7 million tons of material, meaning the company has a significant amount of ground left to cover. The company processed 14 million and 15.1 million tons in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In addition, the company has set a goal of producing enough electricity from solar panels, landfill gas-to-energy, waste-to-energy, waste-based fuel and steam to power 2 million homes by 2020. According to the report, the company currently generated enough power for 470,000 homes in 2016 and 2017. A drop from 1.08 million in 2014 is due to the divestiture of Wheelabrator's waste-to-energy business.