RNG NEWS
Three CNG stations on convenient route for commercial fleets in Ontario
LONDON, ON, - Union Energy Solutions Limited Partnership, is an unregulated affiliate of Union Gas Limited - an Enbridge Company, along with its industry partner Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) announced today that they have built a network of three compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling stations at Flying J and Windsor travel centres along Ontario's Highway 401.
This network of CNG stations will provide heavy-duty truck fleets with convenient access to one of the most affordable and clean transportation fuels commercially available, along some of the most heavily trafficked truck routes in Ontario.
By Press Release PR Newswire, Market Insider
California agencies award grants six in-state dairy to RNG pilot projects
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today announced funding for six pilot projects in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys designed to demonstrate the collection of biomethane from dairy digesters and its injection into natural gas pipelines. The production of biomethane from organic waste products, including animal manure, eliminates significant emissions of methane to the atmosphere.
SAN FRANCISCO, December 3, 2018 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today announced funding for six pilot projects in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys designed to demonstrate the collection of biomethane from dairy digesters and its injection into natural gas pipelines. The production of biomethane from organic waste products, including animal manure, eliminates significant emissions of methane to the atmosphere.
The selected project locations and developers are:
1. South Tulare: California Bioenergy
2. North Visalia: California Bioenergy
3. Buttonwillow: California Bioenergy
4. Merced (CEE): Maas Energy Works
5. Lakeside: Maas Energy Works
6. Weststeyn: DVO, Inc.
The CPUC created the dairy biomethane pilot program as part of the state’s s strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Legislation adopted in 2016 requires the state to reduce methane emissions from the dairy and other livestock sectors by 40 percent by 2030. Emissions from dairy manure account for approximately 25 percent of the State’s overall methane emissions. The interagency committee that selected the projects consisted of representative from the CPUC, CARB, and CDFA. 2
“The pilots chosen will provide us with valuable information about the interconnection process and hopefully facilitate other biomethane projects,” said CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen.
Forty-five dairies will participate in the pilot projects, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from animal manure by putting dairy methane waste to beneficial use as a renewable transportation fuel. The six projects will receive approximately $319 million in infrastructure investments and operation expenses over the next 20 years.
The dairy biomethane projects were mandated in Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016) and implemented in a CPUC decision available at: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M201/K352/201352373.PDF. For additional information, please visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov/renewable_natural_gas/.
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
Future of Renewable Fuel Standard Debated at House Hearing
A bill that would require new cars to operate using more efficient gasoline and sunset the Renewable Fuel Standard drew praise and criticism at a House Subcommittee on Environment hearing.
The 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act (section-by-section summary here) requires manufacturers of light-duty vehicles model years 2023 and later to design motor vehicles to operate using gasoline with research octane number (RON) of 95 or higher and improve fuel economy connected to the use of 95 RON or higher level gasoline.
By Alexander Laska, Eno Center for Transportation
Energy Department Seeks Information on Algae, Biomass, and Waste Feedstock Research
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on research opportunities related to feedstocks that can be used to produce biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. BETO is seeking input from industry, academia, national laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on the following topics areas:
Outdoor Algae Research: What are the additional areas of research, capabilities, and challenges related to the experimental design and execution of long-term outdoor algae cultivation to advance the production of algal feedstocks for use in biofuel and bioproduct applications?
By U.S. Department of Energy
Waste Management Helps Fuel Seattle Public Utilities to Fleet 'Innovator of the Year' Award
Waste Management is using renewable natural gas and Recology is using renewable diesel. Both will also pilot electric vehicles, including two Class 8 heavy duty electric route trucks, four Class 6 midsize electric trucks for small routes and container delivery, and 10 electric supervisor pick-up trucks and support vehicles.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
RNG Coalition's Manning Feraci Testifies at U.S. House Hearing on future of RFS
On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on the Environment convened a hearing on the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act, a discussion draft led by U.S. Reps. John Shimkus, R-Ill., and Bill Flores, R-Texas, to reshape federal transportation fuel policies.
Notably, the hearing discussed the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
“Since the RFS was first established in 2005 and expanded in 2007, much has changed in the market for transportation fuels. If federal policies are not routinely evaluated and updated to reflect market conditions, consumers end up having less than optimal choices,” said Flores.
By Betsy Lillian, NGT News
Hawaii Commissions its First RNG Production Location at Hono'uli'uli Wastewater Facility
A first of its kind renewable gas facility opened on O'ahu Wednesday.
The plant is connected to the City's Hono'uli'uli Wastewater Treatment facility and is managed by Hawaii Gas. The purpose is to turn sewage into energy and hopefully eliminate the need for nearly 15,000 barrels of oil per year. "Today is a huge milestone because we want to do more renewable natural gas," CEO of Hawai'i Gas Alicia Moy said.
By KITV4 Island News
Anaergia Begins Construction at Rialto Bioenergy Facility
Anaergia, Inc. announced the start of construction at the Rialto Bioenergy Facility (RBF).
The RBF will help address two pressing waste management issues in Southern California: food waste diversion from landfills and biosolids management. The RBF will convert 700 tons per day of food waste and 300 tons per day of biosolids into renewable natural gas, renewable electricity and Class A organic fertilizer. When construction is completed in 2020, it will be the largest food waste diversion and energy recovery facility in North America, according to the company.
By Waste360 Staff
Congress Passes 2018 Farm Bill
The House and Senate have passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, otherwise known as the farm bill, which keeps intact funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in agriculture.
According to the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), the legislation maintains the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) at $50 million per year of mandatory funding.
By Betsy Lillian, North American Wind Power
Three CalBio Dairy Pilot Project Clusters Selected for Development
On Monday, December 3, members from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio) was awarded funding for 3 Dairy Pilot Projects selected to install dairy digester renewable fuel technology. The announcement is available at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/renewable_natural_gas/.
The dairy bio-methane pilot program is part of the state’s strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Legislation adopted in 2016 requires the state to reduce methane emissions from the dairy and other livestock sectors by 40 percent by 2030. Emissions from dairy manure account for approximately 25 percent of the State’s overall methane emissions. The inter-agency committee that selected the projects consisted of representatives from the CPUC, CARB, and CDFA.
By Neil Black, Dairy Business