RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Sen. Rounds Meets with Administrator Wheeler on Biofuels
By Politico.
South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds met with Wheeler on Tuesday to discuss E15, small refinery waivers and the ACE proposal, Rounds’ office said. “I reiterated to him my support of year-round sales of E15, and we also discussed my concerns with the EPA’s decision to issue Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to small refineries,” the Republican senator said in a statement.
EPA Proposes Affordable Clean Energy Rule to Replace Clean Power Plan
By National Law Review.
On August 21, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule pursuant to section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) that would establish emission guidelines for states to develop plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing fossil-fired power plants. The proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule would replace the 2015 Clean Power Plan (CPP), which EPA is proposing to repeal (in a separate rulemaking) on the grounds that the CPP exceeded the agency’s authority under the CAA.
RNG Industry Comments on EPA’s 2019 Biofuel Rule
Groups jointly applaud the proposed increases in cellulosic and advanced biofuels.
Via Waste360.
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), Energy Vision, National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica) and Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) submitted joint comments on August 17 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations (RVO) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
The organizations collectively represent the full value chain of biogas-derived cellulosic biofuel under the RFS.
“The Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) industry is leading the way in the delivery of cellulosic biofuel in the United States, making up over 95 percent of our nation’s cellulosic biofuel production and generation of D3 Renewable Identification Numbers under the RFS,” said Johannes Escudero, RNG Coalition CEO, in a statement. “Our comments are supportive of EPA’s proposal to increase the 2019 minimum applicable volume for both cellulosic and advanced biofuels from 2018 to reflect the continued growth and investments being made in the RNG industry.”
Agility Fuel Solutions Receives CARB Approval for Low-NOx 6.0L Natural Gas Engine with Heavy-Duty On-Board Diagnostics (HD-OBD)
Costa Mesa, CA, Aug. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agility Fuel Solutions, a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, announced today that it has received California Air Resources Board (CARB) certifications for its first natural gas-powered engine.
The Agility 366NGTM, a General Motors 6.0L engine with an Agility natural gas fuel system, is certified to meet the CARB Optional Low NOx Emissions Standards and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. In addition, Agility also received CARB Heavy-Duty On-Board Diagnostics (HD-OBD) certification with full compliance.
Republic Services® Expands Natural Gas-Powered Fleet Serving Greater Denver Area
More than Half of Its Colorado Fleet Now Powered by the Domestic Fuel Source
DENVER, Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services® announced today the addition of 17 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) solid waste collection trucks to its fleet serving customers throughout the greater Denver area. The CNG trucks replace older diesel-powered trucks, and bring the total number of natural gas vehicles operated by the Company throughout Colorado to 108.
"We are passionate about sustainability, and understand its importance to our customers," said Randy Johnson, general manager of Republic Services' Denver hauling division. "This fleet upgrade represents a significant investment in cleaner, safer and more efficient vehicles for the Denver community. It also embodies the responsibility we assume for doing our part to preserve Colorado's considerable natural beauty for future generations."
Republic Services operates a natural gas fueling station at its Commerce City location, which supports its expanding Denver-based CNG fleet. Half of the Company's fleet serving the greater Denver metropolitan area is now powered by this domestic fuel source.
Clean Energy Fuels DFW International Airport’s Path To Carbon Neutrality With Renewable Natural Gas
Natural gas-powered vehicles have been playing an active role at U.S. airports for over two decades, with more than 40 airports across the country running their ground transportation fleets on compressed natural gas (CNG). The benefits of fueling airport transportation vehicles with natural gas are clear: lower fuel costs compared to diesel, improved public health and air quality, reduced greenhouse gas environmental impact, and increased U.S. energy independence.
An early adopter of natural gas vehicles (NGVs), the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) began transitioning its fleet away from diesel in the late 1990s. Today, 95 percent of DFW’s 317 airport vehicles are powered by CNG, including 187 shuttle buses, 120 fleet trucks and sedans, and various large service equipment vehicles. In 2016 alone, the airport reduced its petroleum use by three million gallons. Today, DFW has the distinction of being North America’s first carbon neutral airport and continues to pursue sustainability initiatives with a focus on cleaner and more cost-effective renewable fuel sources.
By Clean Energy Fuels.
Oakland International Airport Goes Green With Blue Natural Gas Buses
Nine New Parking Shuttles Are Up and Running at OAK
Oakland, CA – (August 14, 2018): Oakland International Airport proudly presents the arrival of 9 new parking shuttle buses. The vibrant blue buses have just completed the testing period and are already in use. OAK now provides convenient and environmentally sustainable service between airline terminals and parking facilities.
Powered by compressed natural gas, the shuttle buses can reduce fuel costs by up to 50% and greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. The new fleet replaces the 2003 Ford Aerotech “Cutaway”-style minibuses with El Dorado Class-E buses from Creative Bus Sales.
RNG Industry’s Joint Comments to U.S. EPA’s 2019 Biofuel Rule Applaud Proposed Increases in Cellulosic & Advanced Biofuels, Urge Stability
Via NGT News.
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), Energy Vision, the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica), and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) submitted joint comments on Aug. 17 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations (RVO) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
The organizations collectively represent the full value chain of biogas-derived cellulosic biofuel under the RFS.
“The renewable natural gas (RNG) industry is leading the way in the delivery of cellulosic biofuel in the United States, making up over 95 percent of our nation’s cellulosic biofuel production and generation of D3 renewable identification numbers under the RFS,” says Johannes Escudero, CEO of the RNG Coalition. “Our comments are supportive of EPA’s proposal to increase the 2019 minimum applicable volume for both cellulosic and advanced biofuels from 2018 to reflect the continued growth and investments being made in the RNG industry.”
DTE Energy and Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy announce renewable natural gas project partnership
New facility will refine gas from dairy cow waste for RNG vehicle fuel
DETROIT, Aug. 16, 2018 —DTE Energy broke ground last week on a project with Wisconsin-based Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy to begin creating renewable natural gas (RNG) generated from dairy cow waste as a fuel to power compressed natural gas vehicles, offsetting the use of fossil-based fuels.
The Kewaunee, Wisc.-based project is the first dairy-to-RNG facility for DTE’s Power & Industrial group, which specializes in large-scale renewable energy projects across the United States.
New facility will refine gas from dairy cow waste for RNG vehicle fuel
DETROIT, Aug. 16, 2018 —DTE Energy broke ground last week on a project with Wisconsin-based Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy to begin creating renewable natural gas (RNG) generated from dairy cow waste as a fuel to power compressed natural gas vehicles, offsetting the use of fossil-based fuels.
The Kewaunee, Wisc.-based project is the first dairy-to-RNG facility for DTE’s Power & Industrial group, which specializes in large-scale renewable energy projects across the United States.
DTE has launched a broad sustainability initiative that will cut methane emissions by 80 percent by 2040. “This project demonstrates DTE’s commitment to invest in renewable energy projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing customers with reliable and affordable energy, whether it’s light and heat for homes and businesses or clean fuel for vehicles,” said Kevin Dobson, vice president of business development, DTE Biomass Energy.
“We welcome the opportunity to partner with DTE on this project and to develop a sustainable source of renewable natural gas that can benefit everyone while reducing our farm’s environmental impact even more,” said J.J. Pagel, owner of Pagel’s Ponderosa.
Waste generated by the Pagel’s dairy herd will be pumped into an underground anaerobic digester, where methane released will be captured. This methane will then be refined to meet pipeline-quality standards, trucked to a central location and injected into a natural gas transmission line, ultimately for use as an alternative vehicle fuel.
Once the facility begins producing RNG, DTE estimates it will reduce yearly greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to removing 9,200 vehicles from the road, saving the equivalent of burning more than 4.8 million gallons of gasoline. Construction on the facility should be complete early next year.
The partnership with Pagel’s Ponderosa is one of several dairy-to-RNG facilities DTE Biomass Energy is constructing in Wisconsin as the company expands its portfolio of RNG sites, with five additional dairy sites beginning construction in the next few months, in total generating 450,000 to 500,000 million BTUs of renewable natural gas each year. DTE Biomass already operates 21 landfill gas projects across the country including five RNG facilities.
“We believe projects like this represent a great opportunity for us to leverage our experience in renewable natural gas operations to reduce emissions, support businesses like Pagel’s Ponderosa and strengthen our commitment to environmental responsibility,” said Dobson.
Construction and operation of the facilities making up this project is expected to add approximately 30 construction jobs and four full-time operating jobs in Wisconsin while also providing an additional revenue stream for the dairy farmers.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.\
For further information, members of the media may contact:
Brian Smith, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555
Inside Arizona’s Latest Clash Over Renewable Energy Targets
Arizona's politics over renewable energy have always been contentious. As the state considers adding new targets, this year is no different.
There are two proposals to increase Arizona’s renewable portfolio standard. One, a ballot initiative, would add a 50 percent renewable energy mandate (sans nuclear) by 2030 to the state’s constitution. The other, proposed separately by a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), would increase the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 80 percent (including nuclear) by 2050.
By Emma Foehringer Merchant, GreenTech Media.
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