RNG NEWS
Republic Services' Solution to the California 'Organics Challenge'
One special piece of equipment may be handling less material amid the high-volume bustle of Republic Services' large waste and recycling operation in Anaheim, California, but it's still seen as equally important for the company's local operations. Slowly but surely, this unit is helping make California's food waste recycling quest a reality.
The Mega Thor Turbo Separator is capable of processing up to 20 tons of source-separated organic waste per hour. Taking up a relatively small footprint on the tip floor, the unit sends material through a horizontal process, relying on a rotating set of hammer-like paddles that press and push it through screens. An estimated 5-10% of all incoming loads is contamination, so bags, utensils and more get shot out into a container for eventual disposal. The final product from this whole operation, which comes out with an oatmeal consistency, is compost-ready.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive
Court: EPA Must Review Landfill Emissions Plans After Years of Delay
Dive Brief:
The EPA has been required by a federal judge in California to move forward on implementation of 2016 Emission Guidelines for landfills. Per the ruling, the agency must now review compliance plans from the five states that have submitted them by Sept. 6 and set forth a federal plan by Nov. 6.
The judge did not rule on when or how EPA should review future plan submissions from the remaining states, given that its jurisdiction is "limited to compelling EPA to perform mandatory duties it has already failed to perform." The agency's previously proposed submission deadline is Aug. 29.
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive
EPA Delivers Proposed Rule with 2020 RVOs, ‘Other Changes’ to OMB
The U.S. EPA has delivered a proposed rule to set 2020 renewable blending obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The proposed rule also includes the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel and “other changes” to the RFS program. OMB review marks a final step before a proposed rule is released for public comment.
Information posted to the OMB website shows the proposed rule was delivered on May 6. The posting, however, does not include any additional information on what “other changes” to the RFS program the rulemaking might include.
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine
Take-Aways on RNG Investment from The Climate Change Investing Roundtable
Last week, the New York chapter of the Turnaround Management Association invited me and four other industry professionals to participate in a panel discussion exploring climate change investing opportunities.
I came away from the discussion energized and with my eyes opened to several promising areas for potential investment. I also learned some interesting things about the legal and regulatory environment and got insight into how a bond expert views the risks of climate change.
By Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes
Clean Energy Zero Now Will Fuel 250 Heavy-duty Trucks with Redeem RNG
The demand for clean, cost-effective renewable natural gas (RNG) as a transportation fuel continues to rise as Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced it has reached agreement with trucking firms to lease or purchase more than 250 new heavy-duty trucks, fueled by its Redeem™ RNG.
Clean Energy’s Zero Now program makes the cost of leasing or purchasing a new natural gas heavy-duty truck equal to the price or even lower than that of the same truck equipped with a diesel engine. In addition, truck fleets financed or purchased through Zero Now will be able to purchase Redeem fuel with a fixed discount to diesel at a significant spread.
By Business Wire
U.S. Gain Brings Sixth Renewable Natural Gas Development Project Online
U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of sustainable energy solutions, announces the completion of its sixth renewable natural gas (RNG) landfill development project located in Church Hill, Tennessee.
Methane gas from Carter Valley Landfill, which is owned by Republic Services, Inc.—an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal—is being captured and cleaned, and then converted to RNG for the transportation sector. Collaborative efforts from Tennessee Renewable Group (TRG), a leading developer and marketer of renewable natural gas production; Toro Energy, another leader in renewable gas-to-energy development; and U.S. Gain enabled the success of this project.
By Newswire
EPA Awards $9.3 Million to Replace Diesel Buses for Cleaner School Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $9.3 million to replace 473 older diesel school buses across the country.
The funds are going to 145 school bus fleets in 43 states or territories, each of which will receive rebates through the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage, the agency says.
By Betsy Lillian, NGT News
Pepsi Co Moving Towards 100% RNG Fuel
A new report found the importance of regional hauls in freight operations is increasing as fleets seek ways to boost driver retention and use more alternative-powered vehicles.
"The growth of regional haul, if it actually occurs, could be a big opportunity for trucking and overall goods movement,” the North American Council on Freight Efficiency (NACFE) said in the report released in late April.
By Neil Abt, Fleet Owner
SoCalGas Kicks-Off 2019 Environmental Champions Grant Program
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has kicked-off its 2019 Environmental Champions Grant initiative, announcing the company is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations focused on clean air, clean energy and renewable natural gas. Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000 each by visiting this link between May 2 and June 5, 2019. Winners will be selected and notified of their selection in Sept. 2019.
Last year, SoCalGas awarded nearly $400,000 in grants to 32 nonprofits for projects related to clean air, energy, or water. Since its inception in 2015, the Environmental Champions Initiative, which is funded by Sempra Energy shareholders, has awarded more than 150 grants totaling over $2 million.
By Market Screener
Brooklyn's Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant's RNG will Fuel up to 5,000 Local Homes
New Yorkers will soon be cooking with their own gas.
The poop of Big Apple residents is being turned into methane at Brooklyn’s Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant — and the gas will now be used to fuel up to 5,000 local homes.
“We have found a gas well in the middle of Brooklyn,” said Donald Chahbazpour, Gas Utility of the Future director at the National Grid power company. “But the feedstock is not fossil fuel — it’s us.”
By Ebony Bowden, New York Post