RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Republican senator calls for face-to-face with EPA’s Pruitt
Republican senators are taking a harder look at Scott Pruitt, President Trump’s embattled head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after a prominent conservative called for his ouster last week amid new allegations of ethical misconduct.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and longtime Pruitt backer, wants to meet with the EPA chief Tuesday to discuss the latest allegations.
By Alexander Bolton, The Hill.
UPS Makes Another Huge Investment in CNG Trucking
By NGT News.
Building upon its previous commitments to compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling, UPS has announced plans to build an additional five CNG fueling stations and add more than 700 new CNG vehicles, including 400 semi-tractors and 330 terminal trucks.
This $130 million investment in CNG capacity for 2018 builds on prior UPS investments of $100 million in 2016 and $90 million in 2017. In total, from 2008 through 2018, UPS says it will have invested more than $1 billion in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations.
Clean Energy Provides Grant Application Support for 168 Near Zero RNG Trucks
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 20, 2018--Clean Energy Fuel Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE ) has facilitated the filing of grant applications for 168 heavy-duty trucks equipped with the latest near zero engine technology and powered by Clean Energy’s Redeem™ renewable natural gas, which will contribute to lowering emissions on Southern California roads, thanks to funding made available by the Carl Moyer Grant Program. The program funds clean technologies aimed at improving air quality and is administered by the South Coast AQMD. With the support of Clean Energy, grant applications for 168 vehicles were submitted for a diverse array of trucking applications including port trucks that service the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, regional delivery trucks, and concrete mixers.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 20, 2018--Clean Energy Fuel Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE ) has facilitated the filing of grant applications for 168 heavy-duty trucks equipped with the latest near zero engine technology and powered by Clean Energy’s Redeem™ renewable natural gas, which will contribute to lowering emissions on Southern California roads, thanks to funding made available by the Carl Moyer Grant Program. The program funds clean technologies aimed at improving air quality and is administered by the South Coast AQMD. With the support of Clean Energy, grant applications for 168 vehicles were submitted for a diverse array of trucking applications including port trucks that service the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, regional delivery trucks, and concrete mixers.
“Trucking companies are looking for solutions that will help them meet California’s stricter emissions regulations. By pairing near zero engine technology with Redeem, fleets can achieve near zero tailpipe emissions without sacrificing power, speed or reliability,” said Greg Roche, Clean Energy’s vice president of sustainable trucking. “Clean Energy’s grants team is dedicated to assisting fleets with obtaining grants and providing financial support to fleets, so they can easily transition to the cleanest trucks available powered by the cleanest fuel available.”
New trucks that receive Carl Moyer funding are taking advantage of Clean Energy’s Redeem Dollar Deal Program, which is helping customers switch to a zero emissions solution, a combination of the new CWI natural gas engine and Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG) fuel. The first 250 qualifying trucks are locking in a $1 per gallon rate on Redeem for one year, available at all Clean Energy stations throughout California.
Clean Energy worked with the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA) to provide education on the availability of grants and the benefits of applying. The HTA is the leading voice of port drayage with over 100 member companies operating more than 10,000 trucks in America’s West Coast ports.
The transportation sector is responsible for about 40 percent of California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and more than 80 percent of the state’s NOx, or smog-forming emissions. Making the switch from diesel to near zero RNG trucks is vital to achieving the state’s GHG reduction goals and cleaning the air around California’s transportation corridors. Near zero engines are certified by the EPA and California Air Resource Board to have 90 percent lower emissions of smog-forming NOx than today’s heavy-duty engine standard. Studies by the University of California, Riverside have found that NOx emissions from near zero engines are 99 percent cleaner than in-use diesel engines.
When near zero emission trucks are fueled by RNG, GHG emissions can be reduced by 60 to 400 percent. In 2017, over 67 percent of natural gas fleet fuel consumption in California was with RNG, and this number is expected to climb to about 90 percent by the end of this year.
About Clean Energy
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is the leading provider of natural gas fuel and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuel for transportation in North America. We build and operate compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations and deliver more CNG, LNG and RNG vehicle fuel than any other company in the United States. Clean Energy sells Redeem RNG fuel and believes it is the cleanest transportation fuel commercially available, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 percent. For more information, visit www.CleanEnergyFuels.com.
Colorado will adopt California-style low-emission vehicle standards under Hickenlooper order
Colorado could be using California’s rules by end of 2018; critics leery since coastal states differ from mountain region.
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday issued an executive order requiring the adoption of low-emission vehicle standards by 2025, with the first steps in developing the program ready by the end of this year.
By David Migoya, The Denver Post.
Two Bills Pushing for California Pipeline Biomethane Projects Move Forward
AB 3187 and SB 1440 could potentially change the landscape for the biomethane industry and elsewhere.
Until a few years ago, renewable natural gas (RNG) couldn’t be injected into California pipelines; it had to be piped in from other states. While this mandate no longer exists, interconnection costs have made these projects near impossible, though two state bills, if passed into law, should change this.
In its current form, AB 3187 would require the Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to re-evaluate an existing finance program and consider covering 100 percent of interconnection costs. The current program allows up to 50 percent coverage, though the money is not being used, which industry believes is because the incentive is insufficient, given California’s high interconnection costs.
By Arlene Karidis, Waste 360.
EPA offering $40 million to fleets to cut diesel emissions
Via USGasVehicles.com.
June 15, 2018. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making approximately $40 million available as grant funding to commercial- and service-vehicle fleet operators, to be used to help update their assets in line with current and pending diesel emissions standards. “These grants will incentivize improvements to aging diesel fleets and improve air quality throughout the country,” stated EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “EPA will continue to target funds to areas facing significant air-quality issues.”
Massachusetts Senate Passes Bill to Increase Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
June 18 (Renewables Now) - The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday night passed a clean energy bill that was welcomed by the industry.
The bill Increases the state's renewable energy portfolio standard by requiring power suppliers to buy an additional 3% of renewable energy annually, up from an additional 1% and removes the cap on solar net metering. The legislation further calls for additional offshore wind and hydropower procurement, according to a statement released by senator Sal DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. It allows the Department of Energy Resources to recommend the procurement of up to 5,000 MW of aggregate offshore wind capacity by the end of 2035 and of more than 9,450,000 MWh of clean energy generation.
By Plamena Tisheva.
Why a minor change to how EPA makes rules could radically reduce environmental protection
On June 7, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed changing the agency’s approach to this process in ways that sound sensible, but in fact are a radical departure from how government agencies have operated for decades.
By Joseph Aldy, The Conversation.
Since the Reagan administration, federal agencies have been required to produce cost-benefit analyses of their major regulations. These assessments are designed to ensure that regulators are pursuing actions that make society better off.
In my experience working on the White House economic team in the Clinton and Obama administrations, I found cost-benefit analysis provides a solid foundation for understanding the impacts of regulatory proposals. It also generates thoughtful discussion of ways to design rules to maximize net benefits to the public.
On June 7, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed changing the agency’s approach to this process in ways that sound sensible, but in fact are a radical departure from how government agencies have operated for decades.
By Joseph Aldy, The Conversation.
Subcommittee on Environment Hearing to Examine the Future of Advanced Biofuels Under the Renewable Fuel Standard
The Subcommittee on Environment, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today announced a hearing for Friday, June 22, 2018, at 9:15 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Advanced Biofuels Under the Renewable Fuel Standard: Current Status and Future Prospects.”
Next week, SubEnvironment will hold a hearing examining the current status of and future issues with the advanced biofuels component of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“The RFS has made progress in developing advanced biofuels and delivering them to American consumers,” said Chairman Shimkus. “While conventional, corn ethanol commands much of the debate around the RFS, we cannot forget other parts of the program as we explore potential reforms to make the RFS better reflect our evolving transportation fuel needs.”
The Majority Memorandum, witness list and testimony, and a live webcast will be posted HERE as they’re made available.
EPA chief hints he could order more ethanol in fuel
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A week after the White House suspended its bid to reform the nation’s biofuels policy to aid oil refiners, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday dangled a tantalizing prospect to Midwest corn farmers, saying the agency has the power to expand sales of higher ethanol gasoline blends.
By Chris Prentice, Reuters.
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