RNG NEWS
CalPortland concrete mixer trucks selected as a Top 25 for Green Fleets 2018
Catalina Pacific®, a CalPortland Company, has been selected by Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) as one of the Top 25 Green Fleets for 2018 in the US. The company commissioned 118 ‘near-zero emission,’ compressed natural gas (CNG)/renewable natural gas (RNG) powered concrete mixer trucks, which were placed in operation in 4Q17.
HDT has indicated in its November 2018 journal that, for inclusion into the Top 25 Green Fleet class, it looks for long-term dedication to sustainability, as well as paying close attention to new initiatives. In addition to this, HDT looks for companies that are leaders in their industries, promoting fuel efficiencies and alternative fuels, while also testing new technologies.
By Lucy Stewardson, World Cement.
Refinery Stakeholders Request 2018 & 2019 RFS Waivers
By Todd Neeley, DTN Staff Reporter.
OMAHA (DTN) -- Pennsylvania's governor and state refining interests are putting pressure on EPA to grant waivers to the Renewable Fuel Standard program, just ahead of the agency's Nov. 30 deadline to finalize new biofuels volumes for the upcoming year.
Senator Grassley Believes Approval of Small Refinery Exemptions to Slow Under Wheeler's EPA Leadership
On a call with reporters this week, Senator Grassley (R-IA) indicated that he believed acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler may use more restraint than former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in granting small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the RFS.
Sen. Grassley stated that Wheeler may view Pruitt has having been “very liberal” in his granting of these exemptions, which more than doubled in number under Pruitt. For compliance year 2018, EPA has received 15 petitions for SREs, which remain pending, along with 8 other petitions for compliance year 2016 and 2017.
Read more HERE.
U.S. EPA to Address NOx Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles
On November 13, EPA announced the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) to further decrease nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines.
The CTI will include a future rulemaking that will update the existing NOx standard which was last set in 2001 while also streamlining compliance and certification requirements. EPA intends to publish a proposed rule in early 2020. This action follows petitions for rulemaking from over 20 organizations, including from state and local air agencies across the country.
View more information about the Cleaner Trucks Initiative HERE.
Argonne National Lab Publishes 2018 AFLEET Tool
On November 12, Argonne National Laboratories published its AFLEET Tool 2018. The online version of AFLEET Tool quickly compares different vehicle and fuel technologies using a user-friendly interface.
This release includes both an updated spreadsheet and a new web-based version of AFLEET’s Simple Payback Calculator. The AFLEET Tool 2018 updates include:
Updated results to match GREET 1 2018 and GREET 2 2018
Updated vehicle emission factors from EPA’s MOVES 2014a
Updated fuel prices from Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Reports
Please find the updated AFLEET Tool spreadsheet and user manual HERE.
View a presentation that walks through the AFLEET Tool features HERE.
White Paper on LCFS Best Practices Published by Pollution Probe & Savant Technical Consulting
On November 12, Pollution Probe and Savant Technical Consulting co-released a white paper entitled "Global Best Practices in Low-Carbon Fuel Standards." RNG Coalition staff provided feedback on a draft version of the report.
Read more and download the full report HERE.
Former Fibrominn site may again produce bioenergy in Benson
BENSON — Until its closing this year, the former Fibrominn plant put Benson on the map as home to a one-of-a-kind power plant, the only one in the country designed to burn turkey litter as its primary fuel source.
Benson just might regain the distinction of having a one-of-a-kind biomass facility, and on the very same site.
By Tom Cherveny, West Central Tribune.
Renewable gas firm files $3.3M permit for facility near Memphis landfill
A company that converts the methane given off by landfills into renewable natural gas apparently has plans for a $3.3 million construction project near the South Shelby Landfill in Memphis, records indicate.
By Tom Bailey, Daily Memphian.
By Tom Bailey, Daily Memphian.
A company that converts the methane given off by landfills into renewable natural gas apparently has plans for a $3.3 million construction project near the South Shelby Landfill in Memphis, records indicate.
South Shelby RNG LLC applied for a construction permit Tuesday for 4569 E. Holmes Road, property which is adjacent to the South Shelby Landfill operated by Republic Services. The “RNG” stands for renewable natural gas.
The Detroit-area telephone number for Shelby RNG LLC belongs to Aria Energy. The company has similar conversion facilities at landfills across the country, including at Republic’s North Shelby Landfill in Millington.
RNG Coalition Post Election Recap & Insight
Democrats Win Control of U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats went into election night needing a net gain of 23 seats to gain the majority (218 or more seats) in the U.S. House. As of noon ET on Wednesday, November 7, Democrats have won 221 House seats and Republicans have won 195 seats, with 19 races yet to be called. Though each race is determined by its own unique factors, it is noteworthy that Democratic candidates fared well in suburban districts across the country. The House Democratic majority in the next Congress is projected to be between 229 and 234 seats.
Republicans Expand Majority in the U.S. Senate
Republicans held a 51-49 majority in the Senate prior to last night’s election. Thus far, the GOP has posted a net gain of 2 seats in the upper chamber, having defeated incumbent Democratic Senators in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. Several news outlets have called the Senate race in Florida for the Republican Rick Scott, though Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) is asking for a recount. These were all states that President Trump won in 2016. Democrats flipped a Republican held seat in Nevada, and the race in Arizona is yet to be called. Control of a Mississippi seat that is expected to remain in Republican hands will be determined in a late November run-off election. As a result, Republicans are expected to control between 52 and 54 seats in the Senate, depending on the final outcome of the elections in Florida, Mississippi and Arizona.
Democrats Win Control of U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats went into election night needing a net gain of 23 seats to gain the majority (218 or more seats) in the U.S. House. As of noon ET on Wednesday, November 7, Democrats have won 221 House seats and Republicans have won 195 seats, with 19 races yet to be called. Though each race is determined by its own unique factors, it is noteworthy that Democratic candidates fared well in suburban districts across the country. The House Democratic majority in the next Congress is projected to be between 229 and 234 seats.
Republicans Expand Majority in the U.S. Senate
Republicans held a 51-49 majority in the Senate prior to last night’s election. Thus far, the GOP has posted a net gain of 2 seats in the upper chamber, having defeated incumbent Democratic Senators in Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota. Several news outlets have called the Senate race in Florida for the Republican Rick Scott, though Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) is asking for a recount. These were all states that President Trump won in 2016. Democrats flipped a Republican held seat in Nevada, and the race in Arizona is yet to be called. Control of a Mississippi seat that is expected to remain in Republican hands will be determined in a late November run-off election. As a result, Republicans are expected to control between 52 and 54 seats in the Senate, depending on the final outcome of the elections in Florida, Mississippi and Arizona.
What’s Next - Lame Duck & Leadership Elections
Lame Duck Session: Congress will return the week of November 13 for a post-election “lame-duck” session and orientation for members-elect. There are several outstanding issues that Congress must address before adjournment, most notably funding for a host of government agencies that expires on December 7. It remains to be seen if Congress will address other unresolved legislative matters in the lame duck session, such as the Farm Bill and expired tax provisions.
Republican Leadership Elections:
House Republicans are slated to hold their leadership elections on November 14. Current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is widely expected to vie for and ascend the position of Republican Leader. He could face a challenge from Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), a prominent member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Current Majority Whip is expected to again seek the post of Republican Whip. It remains to be seen if other members of the GOP Leadership team will face challenges in the wake of electoral losses suffered by House Republicans.
Senate Republicans will also hold their leadership elections on November 14. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is set to resume his post as Majority Leader. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the current Majority Whip, is term-limited. Senator John Thune (R-SD), who is currently the Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, is expected to assume the position of Majority Whip.
Democratic Leadership Elections:
The incoming Democratic House majority will hold its Leadership elections on November 28. Current Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has signaled her intent to run for Speaker of the House, a position she previously held from 2007-2010. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-SC) are expected to vie for the Majority Leader and Majority Whip positions respectively.
To become Speaker, a candidate must get a majority vote from the full House of Representatives. Several newly-elected Democratic members pledged during their campaigns that they would not support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. In her tenure in Congress, Pelosi has proven to be adept at navigating the politics of the House Democratic Caucus, and she enters the process as the favorite to be the Speaker of the House in the next Congress. However, should she fail to garner the support necessary to become Speaker, it could have multiple repercussions for the House Democratic Leadership as other members both within and outside the current Leadership team vie to become Speaker and assume other roles within the Leadership.
In the Senate, the Democratic Leadership team is expected to remain the same, with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) remaining Democratic Leader and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) serving as Democratic Whip.
With an eye toward jurisdiction over matters related to RNG and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), here's how committee leaderships are expected to shape up.
Energy and Commerce Committee: New Jersey Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone will likely assume leadership of this committee with broad Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency oversight, including legislative considerations concerning the RFS. Current Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (OR) is expected to be ranking member. The Subcommittee on Environment, previously chaired by Rep. John Shimkus, will be led by either Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA) or Rep. Paul Tonko (NY).
Natural Resources Committee: Arizona Democrat Rep. Raúl Grijalva will likely take leadership of this panel with jurisdiction of legislation related to energy production from U.S. natural resources. Utah Republican Rep. Rob Bishop will become ranking member.
Science, Space & Technology Committee: Texas Democrat Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson will likely assume leadership of this committee with jurisdiction over energy research, development, demonstration and projects thereof, national energy laboratories, and climate change concerns. Her Republican counterpart to be ranking member isn't yet clear.
The New 116th Congress
The swearing-in of the new Congress on January 3, 2019 will usher in split control of Congress. With Democrats chairing House committees, it is reasonable to assume that the Trump administration will face more oversight and investigations from Congress. Legislatively, divided government will provide a host of unique challenges for both parties as they deal with the realities of governing. The looming 2020 Presidential election cycle will add another layer of volatility to the process.
The upcoming RNG 2018 conference, December 3-6 in Dana Point, CA will have expert panels providing valuable insight on what to expect in the new Congress and how this new dynamic in Washington DC may impact the federal policies helping to drive RNG industry growth.
Unlikely Allies Join Together to Save the Monarch Butterfly
By Jennifer Shike, Ag Pro.
The world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, Smithfield Foods, Inc., is the first food company to participate in a new program with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) to restore key prairie habitat for monarch butterflies.
Together, these three groups want to help bring back this iconic insect which has experienced a 95% population decline since the 1980s and could be listed as a threatened species by next June. The monarch is currently undergoing what is anticipated to be the largest migration in 10 years.