RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Representative Steve Handy Aims to Expand Utah’s Sustainable Transportation Energy Plan with RNG
When you look back at the past decade of energy and environmental policy in America, it’s hard to fully comprehend how quickly things have changed for the better.
Our dangerous dependence on foreign energy sources is gone, we have led the world in reducing our carbon emissions and renewables like wind and solar are rapidly expanding on the power grid — all in the space of 10 years.
There are many factors behind this rapid change, but when you step back to look at the big picture, there’s a common theme: Private sector innovation and smart public policy are working together to develop homegrown sources of energy under the world’s toughest environmental standards.
By, Bob Beauprez, The Salt Lake Tribune
Low Carbon Fuel Standard’s “Hidden” Gas Tax
With Washington having the third-highest gas tax in the country, critics of a proposed low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) say it would make fuel prices even higher but without the benefits of gas tax revenue in transportation investments.
The decision could have repercussions when it comes time for another gas tax increase to pay for transportation infrastructure, a point made by Association of Washington Business Director of Government Affairs on Transportation Mike Ennis at a Feb. 13 public hearing of the House Transportation on SHB 1110, which seeks to reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 10 percent below 2017 levels in 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 in 2035. The bill received a do pass recommendation during a Feb. 14 executive session in a 16-14 vote.
By, TJ Martinell, The Lens
GTI Report Presents Opportunity to Produce RNG from Wood Wastes
GTI announces the release of a site-specific engineering design titled Low-Carbon Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from Wood Wastes. GTI led a team of engineers and scientists to produce a “blueprint” for converting an existing biomass facility into an RNG production site, using the wood waste feedstock and some of the existing infrastructure. A biomass power plant in Stockton, California, was the host site for the engineering design effort. In addition to providing data about the process technologies, the integrated plant, and production costs, the study highlights the many environmental benefits and the low-carbon fuel produced.
GTI has a long history of research, analysis, and expertise in the technological issues involved in the expanded production and use of RNG. Recent projects include reports for policymakers and the public about the potential of RNG, the development of analytical equipment for determining levels of specific contaminants from various sources of RNG, and technology for the use of RNG as a transportation fuel.
By, Informed Infrastructure
RNG Now Flowing into SoCalGas Pipelines from Calgren Dairy Digester Pipeline Cluster
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and biogas producer Calgren Dairy Fuels (Calgren) today announced that renewable natural gas produced at Calgren's dairy digester facility in Pixley, California is being injected into SoCalGas pipelines. The project marks the first time that carbon-negative renewable natural gas produced from cow manure has been injected directly into SoCalGas' natural gas system. In August 2018, SoCalGas began receiving renewable natural gas into its system from CR&R, Inc.'s anaerobic digestion facility in Perris, California. The renewable natural gas from that digestion facility is already being used to fuel about 400 waste hauling trucks. Renewable natural gas is a carbon-negative fuel produced from waste and agriculture that can be used in trucks and buses, to generate electricity, fuel heating systems in homes and businesses, and for cooking.
By, PR Newsire
Net Zero Emissions vs. 100 Percent Renewables: A Breaking Point in the Green New Deal
Last week, freshman Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released the text of her long awaited Green New Deal, a proposal that would radically reshape the American economy, by mandating widespread adoption of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. To some, this is already a nearly impossible goal. For many leading environmentalist groups, however, the net zero emissions language doesn’t go far enough.
The difference between net zero and renewable might seem subtle, but for environmentalist groups, it could end up being a major breaking point between the green dream and achievable policy.
By, Erin Mundahl, Inside Resources
Legislators Aim for Minnesota's Energy to be Carbon-Free by 2050
Legislators want to make Minnesota the fourth state in the country to set a 100 percent clean energy plan, with the aim of having electricity providers generate all energy from renewable sources by 2050.
“Business as usual and relying on markets is not going to get the job done in time. The crisis is urgent,” said the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Jamie Long, D-Minneapolis.
By, Jessie Van Berkel, StarTribune
Dominion Aims to Cut U.S. Methane Releases by 50 Percent by 2030
Dominion Energy Inc said it plans to cut the amount of methane escaping from its natural gas wells, pipelines and other infrastructure by 50 percent over the next decade as part of its effort to combat global warming.
The company, one of the biggest U.S. power and gas utilities, even held contests among its business units to determine how much methane emissions they could reduce, said Diane Leopold, president and CEO of Dominion’s Gas Infrastructure Group.
By, Scott DiSavino, Reuters
Aemetis Receives Conditional Commitment from USDA for Riverbank, CA Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefinery
Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that the USDA has issued a Conditional Commitment under the 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program to guarantee a $125 million, 20-year loan to the Aemetis cellulosic ethanol plant to be built in Riverbank, California.
The Riverbank plant is designed to convert orchard, forest and other biomass waste into cellulosic ethanol with below zero carbon emissions.
By, Grainnet
Royal Dutch Shell Puts Capital Behind Liquefied Biomethane
Shell Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Royal Dutch Shell PLC, has come on board as a strategic investor in bio-LNG production and technology company Nordsol, based in The Netherlands.
Nordsol uses biogas from organic waste streams to produce bio-LNG, or liquefied biomethane. The product is designed to be a fuel for the long-haul, heavy-duty transportation sector.
By, Michael Bates, NGT News
SoCalGas to Participate at the World Agricultural Expo
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the utility will participate in the World Agricultural Expo in Tulare, Calif.
The theme for this year's SoCalGas display is 'Clean, Renewable and Affordable' and will highlight the important role natural gas plays in California's clean energy future. Visitors to the SoCalGas exhibit booth will learn about the benefits of natural gas by taking the 'SoCalGas Challenge' - a series of five stations each highlighting the value of natural gas. The stations include information on residential energy efficiency programs, business energy efficiency programs, customer assistance programs, natural gas vehicles and renewable energy.
By, Market Screener
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