RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Shell Sustainability Report: Transition to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
Shell, the oil and gas company headquartered in London, has published its 2021 Sustainability Report. Shell’s climate target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society’s progress in achieving the goal of the UN Paris Agreement on climate change.
The company set targets to reduce the carbon intensity (Net Carbon Footprint) of the energy products it sells. This includes short-term targets of 3-4% by 2022, 6-8% by 2023 and 9-12% by 2024 (compared with 2016). It also includes medium- and long-term targets of 20% by 2030, 45% by 2035, and 100% by 2050 (compared with 2016).
Opinion: The Rest of the Story on Fossil Fuels in Oregon
A recent op-ed titled "Fossil fuels are not going anywhere" was full of thoughtful insights and hard truths on Oregon's need to continue the use of natural gas and other fuels, but it wasn't the full story.
In Oregon, our local utilities and workers are at the forefront of decarbonizing our energy systems. It was rightly noted that "electrification" is not the same as decarbonization because during peak demands for energy, natural gas is still the cleanest and most reliable source available. There is a better way to decarbonize than bluntly mandating electrification. Instead, states should invest more in clean fuels such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen.
National Grid Sees US Gas Utilities as Core to Clean Energy Networks Strategy
Natural gas distribution will remain central to National Grid PLC's U.S. operations even as policy headwinds persist in the U.S. Northeast and the multinational utility company shifts toward electric transmission in its U.K. business.
The U.S. gas grid complements the company's increased focus on developing networks to support offshore wind power and green hydrogen infrastructure, according to Ben Wilson, chief strategy and external affairs officer. Wilson reaffirmed the company's commitment to distributing gas in Massachusetts and New York at the S&P Global Market Intelligence Annual Power and Gas M&A Symposium in New York City on March 30.
Biogas Made from Farm Waste Could Replace Russian Fossil Fuels in Germany
As Germany attempts to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, the strong fumes from manure and other organic waste on farms could act as an alternative energy source.
An hour's drive west of Berlin, a strong smell emanates from three large cylinders in the middle of a muddy field on Kaim's property, which is shared with 100 dairy cows. Every day, tonnes of organic waste, mainly manure, corn and grass, is poured into these receptacles.
Consumers Energy Sets 2050 Net-Zero Natural Gas Emissions Goal
Consumers Energy says it will achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the company's natural gas production and delivery system, including customers and suppliers, by 2050.
The commitment doesn't stop carbon emissions, but it means the Jackson-based utility and its parent, CMS Corp., will take measures to eliminate the impact of released compounds traced to burning natural gas by customers for heating, cooking and backup generators. The effort by the state's largest energy provider also will seek to alleviate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions by natural-gas suppliers who produce and transport the gas to Consumers Energy's system.
Nevada Hydrogen Factory will Convert Gas from Garbage into Fuel
The French industrial gas giant Air Liquide SA is opening a factory near Las Vegas this month that will convert methane from landfills into hydrogen to power emission-free cars and trucks.
The $250 million facility will have capacity to produce up to 30 tons of liquid hydrogen per day, enough for about 40,000 fuel-cell vehicles, Mike Graff, an Air Liquide executive vice president, said in an interview.
Dramatic Expansion Potential for RNG at Waste Facilities Seen by RNG Coalition CEO as Climate Efforts Intensify
The push toward creating renewable natural gas from waste has seen exponential growth in recent years. Based on recent investment trends, and projections that domestic RNG production could reach as much as 30 times current production over the coming years, it appears this sector is only just getting started.
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, founded in 2011, represents the interests of companies investing in RNG systems throughout North America. Its membership includes large waste and recycling companies — many of which have significantly ramped up plans for new RNG facilities at their landfills within the past year or so — as well as the industry's largest anaerobic digestion operators and others in the space.
Local Wastewater Plant First in Oregon to Generate Gas for NW Natural System
The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, March 30, to celebrate their new renewable natural gas facilities.
The facilities have been up and running for five months at Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission's regional wastewater treatment plant on River Avenue in Eugene.
Airbus: First A380 Powered by 100% SAF Takes to the Skies
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1 took off from Blagnac Airport, Toulouse, France at 08h43 on March 25. The flight lasted about three hours, operating one Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on 100 percent SAF.
Twenty-seven metric tons of unblended SAF were provided by TotalEnergies for this flight. The SAF produced in Normandy, close to Le Havre, France, was made from hydroprocessed esters and fatty aids (HEFA), free of aromatics and sulphur, and primarily consisting of used cooking oil, as well as other waste fats. A second flight, with the same aircraft, is scheduled to take place from Toulouse to Nice Airport, on the March 29 to test the use of SAF during take-off and landing.
How Food Waste is Contributing to Climate Change and What is Being Done to Help
The United States discards more food than any other country in the world, wasting an estimated 1.4 billion tons of food each year. To break it down, the average family of four wastes 612 pounds of food in one year.
All that wasted food is taking up more space in our nation’s landfills than anything else and producing methane emissions linked to climate change. One solution to minimize harm wrought to the climate by food waste is by investing in more food composition.
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