NEWS RELEASE
July #, 2020
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) Welcomes EPA Proposal for the RFS Program’s 2021 Volume Requirements
Washington DC – Johannes Escudero, CEO and Executive Director of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) release of the proposed 2021 volume requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Escudero also underscored the RNG industry’s desire to work with EPA during the notice and comment process to address the impact carryover RINs have on the market for cellulosic biofuels.
“America’s RNG industry provides close to 98% percent of the fuel used to meet the RFS program’s cellulosic biofuel target. The xx% increase for cellulosic biofuels called for in the proposal sends a positive signal to our industry stakeholders about the expanded role RNG will continue to play in meeting our nation’s demand for clean and sustainable transportation fuels,” stated Escudero.
The RNG industry captures raw biogas that would otherwise escape fugitively into the atmosphere or be flared (wasted) from organic waste streams across North America such as landfills, wastewater treatment plants, livestock and agricultural digesters, and commercial food waste facilities - and converts that biogas into RNG. RNG is fully fungible with conventional natural gas, and is used as a direct renewable substitute for most transportation, commercial, industrial and residential natural gas applications. There are currently 129 RNG production facilities in the US and Canada., with another 110 projects that are under construction or have already completed substantial development.
Escudero also stated “the RNG Coalition appreciates EPA’s acknowledgement that the role of carryover RINs may require further consideration. The cellulosic biofuel provisions are structured in a way that obviates the need for a RIN bank, and carryover RINs have disrupted the stability and functionality of the D3 RIN market. Including carryover cellulosic RINs in the final 2021 cellulosic biofuel requirement is wholly consistent with statute and the RFS program’s energy and environmental policy objectives. The RNG Coalition looks forward continue working constructively with EPA on this issue.”
About the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
The RNG Coalition is the trade association for the RNG industry. The RNG Coalition provides public policy advocacy and education for the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) industry in North America, advocating for the sustainable development, deployment and utilization of RNG, including as an ultra- clean, domestically produced, alternative fuel and energy resource. Learn more at RNGCoalition.com.
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Press Contact:
David Cox
916-588-3033