RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Proposed 2019 Cellulosic Biofuel Volumes Will Increase RNG Project Investment and Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2018
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations (RVO) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“The EPA’s proposed 2019 cellulosic biofuel RVO of 381 million gallons represents a 32% increase over the 2018 level,” said Johannes Escudero, CEO of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition). “We are pleased that the proposal recognizes that the RNG industry is continuing to grow under the RFS program. A 381-million-gallon cellulosic biofuel RVO will provide a policy framework that should allow renewable natural gas (RNG) stakeholders to continue developing, and access the capital necessary to invest in, build and service new RNG production facilities.”
The RNG industry produces more than 95% of the fuel that is used to meet the RFS program’s cellulosic biofuel requirement. Since 2011, the RNG industry has developed over 45 facilities capable of producing cellulosic biofuel, and there are currently an additional 50 projects under construction or development. The industry’s cellulosic biofuel production has increased from approximately 33 million gallons in 2014 to over 240 million gallons in 2017.
“We appreciate the fact that the EPA’s proposed cellulosic biofuel RVO reflects continued growth in the RNG industry. We look forward to working constructively with the administration to ensure that the methodology used to set the final cellulosic biofuel requirement accurately reflects the RNG industry’s investments and that the program is administered in a way that allows for these gallons to be used in the marketplace,” concluded Escudero.
About the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
The RNG Coalitionis the trade association representing over 130 companies and organizations dedicated to the advancement of RNG, including as an ultra-clean, domestically-produced, renewable fuel in North America. The RNG industry captures and converts methane (raw biogas) emitted by and captured from organic waste streams such as those from landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, livestock and agricultural digesters, and commercial food waste facilities, and converts the biogas into RNG. RNG is fully fungible with conventional natural gas, and is used as a direct substitute for most commercial, industrial and residential natural gas applications. Over 95% of the fuel produced and consumed to meet the RFS program’s cellulosic biofuel requirement is RNG.
NTMWD celebrates completion of renewable energy gas plant in Melissa
Officials with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours on Wednesday, June 20 at the new Morrow Renewable High BTU Gas Plant operating at the district’s landfill in Melissa. The state-of-the-art plant captures landfill gas (methane and carbon dioxide) and converts it to clean, renewable natural gas.
The plant is a result of a public-private partnership between NTMWD and Morrow Renewables. Construction began in May of 2017 and the plant became operational in December. Morrow Renewables built and operates the facility and sells the renewable natural gas. NTMWD receives a royalty on the gas produced and a share of the revenue generated which goes toward offsetting landfill operation costs.
By NTMWD.
House Subcommittee on Energy Holds Hearing on Advanced Biofuels, RFS
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing June 22 titled “Advanced Biofuels Under the Renewable Fuel Standard: Current Status and Future Prospects,” that included discussions of post-2022 RFS policy, the EPA’s misuse of RFS waivers, the potential for an octane fuel standard.
The event featured testimony from Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council; Randy Howard, CEO of the Renewable Energy Group, who spoke on behalf of the National Biodiesel Board; Mike McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association; Derrick Morgan, senior vice president of American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers; Luke Morrow, managing director of Morrow Energy, who spoke on behalf of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas; Collin O’Mara, president of the National Wildlife Federation; and Robin Puthusseril, vice president of Greater Chicago Truck Plaza, who spoke on behalf of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators.
Push For More Renewable Energy May Be On Nevada's November Ballot
A group advocating for more renewable energy sources in Nevada says it has more than twice the signatures needed to put a renewable energy measure on the November ballot.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Nevadans for a Clean Energy Future gathered more than 230,000 signatures.
By KDWN.com.
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.”
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