Ben & Jerry's
Date: 2022-05-09
Burlington, Vermont-headquartered ice cream industry icon Ben & Jerry's is touting "Project Mootopia" and a commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions on 15 dairy farms to half the industry average by the end of 2024. Once proven, pilot project initiatives will be expanded to farms across Ben & Jerry's global dairy supply chain.

Dairy ingredients account for more than half of Ben & Jerry's total greenhouse gas emissions, so the company is focusing on dairy farms as the best opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint. The Project Mootopia pilot will use regenerative agricultural practices and new technology to address:

Enteric emissions -- managing methane-producing cow burps through a high-quality forage diet and innovative rumen modifiers that act as a digestive aid.

Manure -- managed through methane reduction technology such as digesters and separators, which reduce the need for commercial fertilizer.

Feed crops -- using regenerative practices to grow more grass and other feed crops to maintain healthy soils, increase carbon sequestration, improve the use of grassland, lower synthetic inputs, promote biodiversity, and raise the percentage of homegrown feed.

Ben & Jerry's is committed to using renewable energy is taking a more meaningful and direct approach: attacking the systemic causes of climate change in its own supply chain to achieve measurable, Science Based Targets. The ice cream maker received $9.3 million to prove and scale regenerative practices on dairy farms from the Climate and Nature Fund of its parent corporation, Unilever. (Source: Ben & Jerry's, PR, 9 May, 2022) Contact: Ben & Jerry's, Jenna Evans, Global Sustainability Manager, www.corporateofficehq.com/ben-jerrys-corporate-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

West Lake Energy
Date: 2022-05-06
On the Canadian prairies, Calgary-based privately held intermediate oil and natural gas company West Lake Energy Corp. is reporting a proposal to the Government of Alberta for a permit to evaluate a potential Carbon Capture Sequestration (CCS) Hub to be located near Pincher Creek, Alberta. The proposed Hub is to be built around three key sources of carbon -- a proposed on-site, self-contained blue ammonia plant; BowArk Energy Ltd.'s approved gas-fired power generation station and other industrial emitters in the area.

There are no other facilities in southern Alberta that are currently able to provide carbon sequestration to existing and future emitters, baseload green power generation and a ready, cost-effective source of for fertilizer to Western Canada and the northwestern U.S. in addition to providing carbon sequestration solutions.

The Hub is expected to sequester more than 2.7 million tpy of CO2 over its enticipated 30-year lifespan -- roughly equivalent to the removal of 500,000 vehicles for the nation's highways, according to the company release. (Source: West Lake Energy Corp Contact: West Lake Energy Corp., (403) 215-2045, www.westlakenergy.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CO2,  West Lake Energy,  

Gresham House
Date: 2022-05-04
In the UK, London-based asset management firm Gresham House reports it is investing in New Zealand forestry as part of a carbon credits strategy for UK-based institutional investors.

The Gresham House Forest Carbon limited partnership has acquired a 25 pct stake in an eight forest portfolio totaling 12,000 hectares focused on carbon sequestration and native forest regeneration. The forests will not be harvested and will remain as permanent forests, contributing to CO2 reduction, maintaining biodiversity and generating a projected generate nine million verified carbon credits (VCC) over the next 25 years.

Gresham House manages 141,500 hectares of forestry in the UK and Ireland and more than 166,000 hectares globally, valued at around £3 billion. New Zealand has committed to become net carbon neutral by 2050. (Source: Gresham House, PR, May, 2022) Contact: Gresham House, David Gardner, CIO for Forestry, www.greshamhouse.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gresham House news,  Carbon Credit news,  

Bluesource
Date: 2022-05-02
The Michigan DNR reports the Bluesource/Michigan DNR Big Wild Forest Carbon Project, the first-of-its-kind pilot in the nation that will leverage the carbon storage capacity of trees on state forest lands, is underway.

The pilot project, which covers 109,000 acres of the Pigeon River Country State Forest, will develop a portfolio of carbon offset credits generated from sustainable forest management activities. The Forest is a working forest managed with sustainable timber harvest practices with a focus on the forest enhanced carbon sequestration potential. (Source: Bluesource, Mich DNR, April, 2022) Contact: Bluesource/Michigan DNR Big Wild Forest Carbon Project jstrauss@bluesource.com, www.bluesource.com; Mich. DNR, www.michigan.gov/dnr

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bluesource news,  Carbon Offsets news,  Carbon Credit news,  CO2 news,  

Tesla Foundation
Date: 2022-04-15
San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Vivaris Capital LLC, a multi-strategy fund offering hybrid hedge and private equity structures, is reporting a joint-venture partnership with the Los Angeles-based Tesla Foundation Inc. to form Tesla Climate Capital.

Tesla Climate Capital will commercialize leading technologies in energy storage, carbon sequestration and power generation as well as incubate entrepreneurs active in those technologies .It will will work with Vivaris to raise capital from industry partners, financial institutions and other investors and then either invest via Vivaris Capital's VICAN Fund or directly into the portfolio company.

The Tesla Foundation is not affiliated with Elon Musk or Tesla Inc. (Source: Vivaris Capital LLC, PR, Hedge Week, 14 April, 2022) Contact: Vivaris Capital LLC, 858.525.5141, info@vivariscapital.com, www.vivariscapital.com; Tesla Foundation, 310-467-1193, info@teslafoundation.com, www.teslafoundation.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Proton Green
Date: 2022-04-08
Houston-headquartered Proton Green, LLC), the operator of one of the leading helium and hydrogen production and carbon sequestration hubs in North America, is reporting a partnership with Tulsa, Oklahoma-headquartered independent energy infrastructure developer Lone Cypress Energy Services, to collectively launch a first of its kind helium exploration and carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Arizona.

The project will focus on the gaseous helium produced from Proton Green's St. Johns gas unit in Apache County atop one of the largest gaseous helium reserves in North America, with an estimated 33 Bcf of helium in accessible reservoirs. Notably, helium produced from the region contains no hydrocarbons, according to the release.

Lone Cypress will be responsible for the construction and operation of all the associated midstream helium gathering and processing infrastructure. Lone Cypress Energy Services will also perform all the engineering and technological solutions needed to support the capture and transport of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced during the helium production process as well as emissions from power plants and industrial facilities in the neighboring vicinity. These emissions will be geologically sequestered in an isolated formation within the St. Johns Gas Unit with upwards of 1 billion metric tons of storage capacity, subject to regulatory approvals. (Source: Proton Green LLC, PR, 7 April, 2022) Contact: Proton Green. LLC, Steve Looper, CEO, www.protongreen.com; Lone Cypress Energy Services, LLC, www.lonecypressenergyservices.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Proton Green,  CCS,  

Aemetis
Date: 2022-03-09
Cupertino, California-headquartered Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable fuels company focused on negative carbon intensity products, announced today the closing of two new, lower interest rate credit facilities with aggregate availability of up to $100 million, comprised of up to $50 million for projects that produce lower carbon intensity renewable products and up to $50 million for working capital. In connection with the closing of the new credit facilities, Aemetis repaid $16 million of higher interest rate debt, building upon the more than $60 million of higher interest rate debt repaid during 2021.

The credit facilities are expected to provide funding for the Aemetis projects that reduce the carbon intensity of renewable fuels, including a zero carbon intensity solar array and extensive process equipment electrification upgrades to the Keyes ethanol plant, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel plant, and carbon sequestration facilities. (Source: Aemetis, Website PR, 3 Mar., 2022) ← Return to the newsfeed...

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis news,  

Strategic Biofuels
Date: 2022-02-23
Columbia, Louisiana-based Strategic Biofuels, the leader in developing negative carbon footprint renewable fuels plants, reports Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards awarded the company's Louisiana Green Fuels project a $250 million bond allocation.

The tax-free bonds will form part of the project's construction debt financing, will be sold into the private market at final investment decision in early 2023, when construction is slated to begin.

As the first renewable diesel project in North America to achieve "negative" carbon emissions, the project will produce roughly 34 million gpy of renewable diesel from woody biomass and various forestry wastes. A carbon sequestration test well program for the project was completed in 2021. (Source: Strategic Biofuels, PR, Website, 21 Feb., 2022) Contact: Strategic Biofuels, Paul Schubert, CEO, www.strategicbiofuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Strategic Biofuels ,  Biodiesel,  CCS,  Green Bond,  

Puro.earth
Date: 2022-02-21
Carbon removals marketplace Puro.earth has launched a "first of its kind" public registry of engineered carbon removal projects which it claims have clinched certification under its Puro Standard. The Puro Registry is designed to add transparency to carbon markets by providing a platform where third parties can verify whether corporate climate claims are backed up by the requisite investments in high-quality carbon removal projects, according to the firm. The registry will list carbon dioxide removal certificates (CORCs) purchased by corporates that have been verified by the Puro Standard, as well as information about yearly project issuance, according to the release.

The Puro Standard covers engineered carbon removal technologies and solutions including: biochar, construction materials, soil amendments, and various types of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, including direct air capture (DAC).

Puro.earth activities are aligned to carbon market rules finalised at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. In a bid to avoid so-called 'double counting' of emissions reductions from CORC projects, each CORC verified by Puro is given a unique identifier and is unable to change ownership once 'retired', the firm explained. A CORC is 'retired' when a beneficiary makes a net zero or carbon neutrality claim supported by the CORC's carbon sequestration properties. The registry will follow "leading practices in traceability" with plans to record the complete lifecycle of the carbon credit from issuance to retirement. (Source: Puro.earth, PR, Bus. Green, 17 Feb., 2022) Contact: Puro.earth, Marianne Tikkanen,, +358 40 5233880, contact@puro.earth, www.puro.earth

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit,  Carbon Markets,   Puro.earth,  Carbon Emissions,  

Concrete,CP Concrete Consortium
Date: 2022-02-02
The CP Concrete Consortium reports receipt of $80 million in funding from the Green Innovation Funding Program of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

The 15-member consortium is aiming to develop "Carbon Pool Concrete" technology -- a new concrete production method that reduces CO2 generated in cement production by reducing carbon emission during production and maximizing carbon sequestration post-production. This novel concrete production technology is to be used in constructing pavements, buildings, and other civil engineering structures. (Source: CP Concrete Consortium, 2 Feb., 2022)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions news,  Concrete news,  

Birla Cellulose
Date: 2022-01-31
Mumbia, India-headquartered pulp and paper business Birla Cellulose reports it is aiming bring its net carbon emissions to zero across all its operations as early as 2035 or 2040 at the outside. This is the most ambitious target set by any company in the Man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) industry globally, according to the Birla release. The company also targets to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity to half by 2030 from the baseline of 2019. Birla Cellulose's commitment to carbon neutrality and GHG reductions includes scope 1, scope 2, scope 3 emissions, and the carbon sequestration in managed forests and are derived using science-based methods.

To that end the company will increase the use of use of renewable energy in its processes, invest in innovative low emission technologies, net positive carbon sequestration in its managed forests, and other initiatives. An assessment of carbon sequestered in the company's s directly managed forests exceeded the entire scope 1 and scope 2 emissions from global sites during the year, according to the release. (Source: Birla Cellulose, PR, 31 Jan., 2022) Contact: Birla Cellulose, +91 22 61957700, www.birlacellulose.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Birla Cellulose,  Net-Carbon Emissions,  

Lehigh Cement, Enbridge
Date: 2022-01-26
On the Canadian prairies, Lehigh Cement, a division of Lehigh Hanson Materials Limited and Enbridge Inc. have announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on North America's first full-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) solution for the cement industry at Lehigh's plant in Edmonton , Alberta. The aim is to capture roughly 780,000 tpy of CO2. Captured emissions would be transported via pipeline and permanently sequestered by Enbridge. Subject to the award of carbon sequestration rights and regulatory approvals, the project could be in service as early as 2025.

With the support of Lehigh and Capital Power Corporation (Capital Power) with their local facilities, Enbridge will be applying to develop an open access carbon hub in the Wabamun area, west of Edmonton, Alberta, through the Government of Alberta's Request for Full Project Proposals process.

Combined, the emissions from Capital Power and Lehigh's planned carbon capture projects represent an opportunity to avoid nearly 4 million tonnes of atmospheric CO2 emissions. Once built, the Open Access Wabamun Carbon Hub will be among the largest integrated CCUS projects in the world, according to the Enbridge release. (Source: Enbridge Inc. PR, 26 Jan., 2022) Contact: Lehigh Hanson, Jeff Sieg, 972-653-6011, jeff.sieg@lehighhanson.com; Enbridge Inc., 800-481-2804, www.enbridge.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lehigh Cement news,   Enbridge news,  CCS news,  CCUS news,  Carbon Emissions news,  

Mangove
Date: 2022-01-21
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry reports it will restore 150,000 hectares of degraded mangroves this year as part of a 2021 initiative aimed at restoring 1.5 million acres of degraded mangrove by 2024. The ministry is drafting regulations to open mangrove restoration projects to investors.

As previously reported, mangrove forests can absorb four to five times more carbon emissions than landed tropical forests. The effort is in line with Jakarta's goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, or sooner. (Source, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, PR, Reuters, WHBL, 20 Jan., 2022) Contact: Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, pusdata@dephut.cbn.net.id, www.landportal.org/node/13158

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mangrove,  Carbon Sequestration,  Climate Change,  

YES BANK
Date: 2022-01-14
In India, Santa Cruz-based YES BANK reports it plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its operations across the country to net-zero by 2030 to support the goals of the Paris climate agreement.

The Bank aims to eliminate around 7 pct of its total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions which stood at 44,168.12 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in FY2019-20, the base year for the Bank's net-zero target. To that end, YES BANK plans to switch to 100 pct renewable energy, upgrade to LED fixtures, use only energy-efficient (five-star rated) machines and appliances and offset part of its emissions through carbon sequestration projects. (Source: YES BANK, Jan., 2021) Contact: YES BANk, www.yesbank.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News YES BANK,  Net-Zero Emissions,  Energy Efficiency ,  

Spades Touts Climate Resilience Enterprise (Ind. Report)
Date: 2022-01-05
Minneapolis-based specific benefit for profit corporation Spades reports it is developing three new tree planting projects involving 1,000,000 acres, 100 million trees, and 100 million MT of sequestered carbon, with dozens of projects in its pipeline. Spades biotechnology increases tree survival to improve climate resilience, investor returns, local economic development and provide returns via carbon offsets timber, and agroforestry.

Spades proprietary solutions include Terrazone™ which helps fit people and land, negotiating between competing rural land uses, including the protection of habitat; Ecofit™biotech helps select the right combination of local tree species for current and future environments; engagement with the largest tree grower network in the world and local governments; and balanced finance to help unlock higher returns for investors, donors, and local landowners, applying monitoring and standards to track outcomes for 50 years.

Spades projects are open to diverse habitats and locations, from temperate to tropical, coastlines to highlands, in developed and developing nations. The first three projects are in Africa and Latin America.

Established in 2019, Spades is committed to developing profitable projects to reforest the world. Our vision is to sustain the world by integrating thriving human, environmental, and economic solutions. Spades' solutions meet multiple urgent, global needs of stakeholders. Reforestation, regenerative agriculture, integrated rural land use development, diversified ecosystems, greater food security, better water resources, carbon sequestration, air quality, and income and investment opportunities are just a few areas that will reap rewards from Spades work, according to the company.

According to a May 2021 report by the UNCCD, more than 125 countries have made commitments to improve their land and ecosystems. National pledges to take action already cover over 1 billion hectares. (Source: Spades, PR, Jan., 2022) Contact: Spades for Life, Raymond Menard, CEO, www.spades.life

More Low-Carbon Energy News Reforestation,  Aforestation,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Carbon Sequestration,  

Michigan State Forest Carbon and Climate Program
Date: 2021-12-06
The Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP), a partner in a new 5-year, $5.3 million USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), is reporting receipt of Climate Action and Reforestation in Northern Michigan grant funding for the reforestation of over 16,400 acres in 27 counties in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. The grant will also be used for the incentivization of forest restoration activities and the encouragement of long-term forest stewardship.

FCCP will assess climate benefits through the estimation of carbon sequestration potential through site monitoring that will assess seedling health and survival rate. FCCP will also be exploring innovative carbon monitoring methods such as remote sensing and field plot data.

The funding is through the USDA RCPP, a sector of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which promotes the coordination of conservation activities with partners that can substantially benefit NRCS efforts.

The MSU FCCP stems from the Department of Forestry. Its goals are to increase understanding and implementation of climate-conscious forestry practices.

Download the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program Climate Action and Reforestation in Northern Michigan details HERE . (Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PR, Website, Dec., 2021) Contact: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, www.nrcs.usda.gov; Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program, www.canr.msu.edu/fccp

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA,  Climate Change,  Afforestation,  Reforestation,  Climate Change,  

University of Western Australia
Date: 2021-11-29
In the Land Down Under, University of Western Australia researchers have found offsetting agricultural emissions through reforestation would cost Western Australian (WA) farms 15 pct of their profits and require between 8 and 11 pct of farmland to be forested. The report notes that WA's agricultural emissions have consistently decreased since 1990, led by reductions in livestock, which is more carbon emission intensive than crop production.

The study accounted for regional communities' opposition to reforestation and estimates the cost and distribution of land needed to achieve carbon neutrality. The report notes reforestation would be most effective if undertaken across a wide area of the grain-growing region, away from the most productive or expensive areas, on low-cost but reasonably fertile land that supports vegetation suitable for carbon storage.

Australia's Clean Energy Regulator has offered a carbon credit scheme for farmland reforestation projects buts its value to farmers was significantly less than cropping or livestock. For much of the last decade, obtaining carbon credits through the Commonwealth's Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) was the only government incentive offered for Australian farmers to reforest their land.

The study concluded that reforestation alone is not the most cost-effective path to decarbonising Australian agriculture and that carbon sequestration opportunities in pastoral regions are much more cost-effective than switching productive ag land into trees. (Source: University of Western Australia, PR, Nov., 2021) Contact: University of Western Australia, School of Agriculture and Environment, Prof. Ross Kingwell , (+61 8) 6488 6000, www.uwa.edu.au/schools/agriculture-and-environment

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  Reforestation,  

Aemetis
Date: 2021-11-26
Cupertino, California-based renewable fuels specialist Aemetis, Inc. reports it has signed a non-binding term sheet and is working towards completing $100 million of new debt financing from Toronto-based Third Eye Capital. The debt financing is expected to be comprised of $50 million for carbon reduction projects and $50 million for working capital.

The new, lower interest rate debt financing is expected to fund Aemetis initiatives that reduce the carbon intensity of renewable fuels (sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel), carbon sequestration, and upgrades to the Keyes, California, ethanol plant.

Cash and grants of more than $32 million have already been invested in the Aemetis Phase I, 45 million gpy carbon -zero renewable jet and diesel plant in Riverbank, California.

A $125 million USDA 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program guaranteed loan has been signed by Aemetis and an additional $100 million under the USDA Renewable Energy for America Program is in process, according to the release. (Source: Aemetis, PR, 23 Nov., 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Andy Foster, (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis,  Renewable Diesel,  SAF,  

Bioenergy Devco
Date: 2021-11-17
Annapolis, Maryland-based food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) specialist Bioenergy Devco (BDC) reports it has secured $100 million in financing from funds managed by Irradiant Partners , an alternative investment manager with expertise in climate infrastructure, private equity and credit. This new capital will support the development of multiple anaerobic digestion facilities to drive sustainable organic waste recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America.

BDC has constructed more than 240 anaerobic digesters and currently manages 140 facilities worldwide. Since launching in the United States in 2019, BDC has over 20 anaerobic digesters in development, including two under construction in Delaware and Maryland. Slated to be the largest and the first industrial-scale food waste digester in the U.S., the facility at the Maryland Food Center Authority will have the capacity to accept more than 115,000 tons of organic material annually, offering the same carbon sequestration impact as a forested area 40 times the size of Central Park. (Source: Bioenergy Devco, PR, Website, 10 Nov., 2021) Contact: Irradiant Partners, www.irradiantpartners.com; Bioenergy Devco, Shawn Kreloff, CEO, (443) 782-3427, info@bioenergydevco.com, www.bioenergydevco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy Devco ,  anaerobic digestion,  

Canada Nickel Company
Date: 2021-11-10
In Toronto, Canada Nickel Company Inc. is reporting the results of the first phase laboratory scale testing that demonstrates the potential for carbon sequestration in tailings at its Crawford Nickel-Sulphide Project near Timmins, Ontario.

The laboratory tests, which were conducted by Kingston Process Metallurgy and Queen's University , found that the project tailings naturally sequester CO2 into a permanent mineralized form.

This is a critical foundation of Canada Nickel's NetZero initiative to become the first zero carbon nickel operation. Canada Nickel's wholly-owned Net Zero Metals subsidiary has successfully applied and registered trademarks in various jurisdictions for NetZero Nickel™, NetZero Cobalt™ and NetZero Iron™ in expectation that the Company can be successful in achieving its zero carbon initiatives.

Any CO2 sequestration in excess of the 4.6 kg per tonne of tailings level would be potentially available for sale as carbon credits. Work is underway on a series of larger scale tests aimed at demonstrating that Crawford tailings can be exposed to enough CO2 for a sufficient time period to achieve the sequestrations levels that were achieved at a lab scale. (Source: Canada Nickel Company, PR 10 Nov., 2021) Contact: Canada Nickel Company, Mark Selby, CEO, www.canadanickel.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  Carbon Emissions,  

UNESCO,World Resources Institute
Date: 2021-10-29
UNESCO is reporting the first ever scientific assessment of the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted from and absorbed by forests in UNESCO World Heritage sites has found that forests in World Heritage sites play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing 190 million tpy of CO2 from the atmosphere. However, ten forests released more carbon than they sequestered due to pressure from human activity and climate change, which is alarming.

The research found that, as a whole, UNESCO World Heritage forests in 257 separate sites, absorbed the equivalent of approximately 190 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year, comparable to roughly half the United Kingdom's annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels.

By combining satellite-derived data with monitoring information at the site level, researchers at UNESCO, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) were able to estimate the gross and net carbon absorbed and emitted by UNESCO World Heritage forests between 2001 and 2020 and determine the causes of some emissions.

Download the How UNESCO's World Heritage Forests Role in Mitigating Climate Change report HERE . (Source: UNESCO, 28 Oct., 2021} Contact: UNESCO, www.en.unesco.org; World Resources Institute, www.wri.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Resources Institute,  UNESCO,  Carbon Sequestration,  GHG,  

Federated Co-operatives, Whitecap Resource,Terra Grain Fuels
Date: 2021-10-25
On the Canadian prairies, Saskatoon-headquartered ethanol producer Federated Co-operatives Ltd (FCL) -- fka Terra Grain Fuels -- is reporting a memo of understanding (MoU) with Calgary-based clean energy company Whitecap Resources, under the terms of which Whitcap will store and use carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions captured from Federated Co-op's refinery complex at Regina and from the Co-op Ethanol Complex (CEC) near Belle Plaine, west of Regina. The Captured CO2 will be transported to and stored at Whitecap's light-oil unit -- "the single largest anthropogenic carbon sequestration project in the world, having so far captured over 36 million tonnes of CO2" -- in south of Weyburn , Saskatchewan.

Under the agreement, FCL will fund, construct and operate 500,000 tpy carbon capture facilities at its Regina and Belle Plaine plants at a an estimated cost of $510 million. FCL presently produces about 150 million lpy of ethanol and 130,000 tonnes of DDGs.

The Belle Plaine facility is expected to be completed in 2024, and the Regina refinery starting in 2026. The release notes the final investment decisions will need clarification on climate change regulations and available incentive programs. (Source: Federated Co-operatives Ltd., Whitecap Resources, Website PR, 21 Oct., 2021) Contact: Federated Co-operatives Ltd, Scott Banda, CEO, (306) 244-3403, inquiries@fcl.crs, www.fcl.crs; Whitecap Resources, 403-266-0767 www.wcap.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Federated Co-operatives,  Whitecap Resource,  Terra Grain Fuels ,  Ethanol,  CCS,  

Talos Energy, TechnipFMC
Date: 2021-10-20
In the Lone Star State, Houston-headquartered offshore oil and gas company Talos Energy reports it has entered into a long-term agreement with London, UK-based engineering specialist TechnipFMC to develop, accelerate and deliver technical and commercial solutions to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects along the U.S, Gulf Coast. The alliance combines Talos's offshore operational and sub-surface experience with TechnipFMC's history in subsea engineering, system integration and automation and control. Talos is the operator of the only major offshore carbon sequestration hub in the U.S.

Under the alliance, the companies will collaborate to progress CCS opportunities through the full lifecycle of storage site characterization, front-end engineering and design (FEED) and first injection through life of field operations. (Source: Talos Energy, 18 Oct., 2021) Contact: Talos Energy, 713-328-3000 , www.talosenergy.com; TechnipFMC, www.technipfmc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Talos Energy news,   TechnipFMC news,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-10-18
In Washington, the US DOE is reporting $20 million in funding to four projects working to accelerate regional deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The Regional Initiatives to Accelerate CCUS Deployment are designed to identify and address regional storage and transportation challenges facing the commercial deployment of CCUS.

The Regional Initiatives are university-led partnerships with academia, non-governmental organizations, industry leaders, and local and state governments. The initiatives identify and promote carbon storage and transport projects by addressing key technical challenges; facilitating data collection, sharing, and analysis; evaluating regional storage and transport infrastructure; and promoting regional technology transfer. Each of the following Regional Initiative lead organizations were awarded approximately $5,000,000 in DOE federal funding:

Battelle Memorial Institute (Columbus, OH) is leading the Regional Initiative to Accelerate CCUS Deployment in the Midwestern and Northeastern US project in 20 Midwestern and Northwestern states to review regional infrastructure and technical challenges to deploying CCUS in three sedimentary basins and the Arches province. www.battelle.org

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (Socorro, NM) is leading the Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership of the Western UU project in 15 Western states to focus on compiling geologic datasets in the region for storage resource analyses and identifying data gaps. www.nmit.edu

Southern States Energy Board (Peachtree Corners, GA) is leading the Southeast Regional Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership project in 15 Southeast states to identify at least 50 potential regional sites to evaluate storage resource potential and infrastructure needs. www.sseb.org

University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center (Grand Forks, ND) is leading the Plains CO2 Reduction project in 13 Northwest states and four Canadian provinces to identify and address onshore regional storage and transport challenges facing the commercial deployment of CCUS in an expanded region. www. undeerc.org

The Regional Initiatives continue the work of predecessor projects funded under DOE's Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (RCSP) Initiative, supporting efforts to validate geologic storage technologies and support the commercialization of carbon capture and storage.

The DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) funds research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects to decarbonize power generation and industrial sources, to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and to mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use. (Source: US DOE, PR, 15 Oct., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, www.energy.gov/fecm/office-fossil-energy-and-carbon-management; National Energy Technology Laboratory, www.netl.doe.gov/coal/carbon-storage/regional-initiative-to-Accelerate-CCUS-deployment

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CCUS,  US DOE,  Battelle,  

IndiaNational Power Corp.
Date: 2021-10-13
India's largest power company National Power Corp. (Napocor) is reporting the launch of its "Energy Carbon Sequestration Initiative" which promotes reforestation across 56,000 hectares of watersheds while helping energy companies and other firms in watershed areas meet their carbon offsetting targets.

Napocor's protection and reforestation projects are presently supported by the universal charge-environmental fund which is collected from electricity users every month. In July, the Indian Government Department of Energy issued an advisory aimed at encouraging independent power producers to join Napocor's carbon sequestration program. (Source: Napocore, PR 12 Oct., 2021) Contact: Napocore, Emmanuel A. Umali, Manager for Watershed Management, www.ntpc.co.in

More Low-Carbon Energy News Reforestation news,  Carbon Sequestration news,  Climate Change news,  

Green Trees,American Carbon Registry
Date: 2021-09-29
In the Palmetto State, Columbia-based Milliken Forestry Company and ACRE Investment Management have announced plans to kickstart Green Trees South Carolina, a voluntary reforestation project that will help "bend the climate curve."

GreenTrees is the world's largest voluntary forest carbon project that helps landowners plan, plant and measure the carbon sequestration from the trees that grow on their property. That information will be entered into the American Carbon Registry and included in the carbon market and sold to a group of buyers.

To date, Green Trees has planted more than 50 million trees and plans to plant over 100 million more by the year 2030. More than 600 landowners in 13 states have participating the Green Trees program. (Source: Milliken Forestry Company, PR, Green Trees Website, ABC Columbia, 28 Sept., 2021) Contact: Milliken Forestry Company, 803-788-0590 , www.millikenforestry.com; Green Trees, info@green-trees.com, (540) 253-2504, www.green-trees.com; American Carbon Registry, www.americancarbonregistry.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Reforestation,  Green Trees ,  Carbon Markets,  Carbon Credit,  American Carbon Registry,  

Marriott
Date: 2021-09-24
Bethesda, Maryland-headquartered hotel and hospitality industry giant Marriott International has outlined its net-zero strategy building on its existing 2025 sustainability goals.

Marriott's current sustainability strategy aims to "reduce environmental impacts through the construction and operation of sustainable hotels and responsible sourcing while protecting and restoring ecosystems" including: reducing use of single-use plastics; introducing an internal food waste prevention and reduction educational campaign; creating a responsible sourcing guide for Marriott's suppliers; creating a certifications database to help Marriott properties operate more responsibly and work towards the goal of 100 pct of the portfolio receiving a third-party sustainability certification; and develop ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration projects.

Other initiatives "may" include: increased use of renewable energy and building electrification to maximize use of renewable electricity; continued modifications to building design standards for greater energy efficiency including the installation of smart thermostats, automation systems and other energy efficiency upgrades.

Marriott aims to reach net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. (Source: Marriott Int'l., PR, Business Traveler , 22 Sept., 2021) Contact: Marriott Int'l., Anthony Capuano, CEO, 301-380-3000, www.headquartersof.com/marriott-international-corporate-headquarters-info

More Low-Carbon Energy News Marriott,  

Foresight Sustainable Forestry
Date: 2021-09-08
In the UK, London-headquartered Foresight Sustainable Forestry Co PLC reports it is seeking to raise £200 million in an IPO this November on London's Main Market. The IPO proceeds will directly enable around 4 million tonnes of carbon sequestration from the atmosphere from new afforestation planting, according to the company release.

London-listed Foresight Group Holdings Ltd noted , "For some years now Foresight, as one of a very few significant players in this sector, has been looking to scale up its forestry investments in an appropriate structure for a wide range of investors to participate in and this LSE Main Market listed sustainable forestry company launch represents the next development in that journey." Contact: Foresight Sustainable Forestry Co., Bernard Fairman, +44 (0)20 3667 8100, info@foresightgroup.eu, www.foresightgroup.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Foresight Sustainable Forestry ,  Reforestation,  Carbon Sequestration,  

Strategic Biofuels
Date: 2021-09-03
As previously noted, Strategic Biofuels LLC, the leader in developing negative carbon footprint renewable fuels plants, reports its carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) test well program at its Louisiana Green Fuels (LGF) Project in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, has been completed.

The test well program demonstrated that CO2, the main greenhouse gas generated during the fuel production process, can be safely and securely stored deep underground and that the storage reservoir has sufficient capacity to store all the gas produced over the plant's lifetime. Completing the test well program is an essential pre-requisite for securing the permit for the EPA Class VI sequestration well.

The design and execution of the test well program was developed by COO Bob Meredith with help from Geostock Sandia, an international consulting firm that has worked with the Department of Energy on carbon sequestration wells for almost two decades. (Source: Strategic Biofuels LLC, Aug, 2021) Contact: Strategic Biofuels, Strategic Biofuels & Louisiana Green Fuels, [startlimk]info@info@strategicbiofuels.net[endllink]

More Low-Carbon Energy News Strategic Biofuels ,  Biodiesel,  CCS,  

Corte Agriscience
Date: 2021-09-03
A recent Corte Agriscience survey of 600 row-crop farmers in the U.S. notes that farmers say they need a subsidy of $40 per acre to adopt carbon-capture technology to curb global warming. Sixty-six per cent of the farmers surveyed said they have already implemented soil health practices such as using cover crops and/or reduced tillage that would qualify them to enroll in most carbon programs. Even so, participation in carbon-capture programs remains low. With 72 pct of respondents aware of carbon offerings, only 3 pct are enrolled in a carbon sequestration program.

According to the survey, "Many farmers indicate that they would consider a carbon program if the payout per acre reached $20; however, it isn't until the payout per acre would reach an estimated $40 that the majority said they would commit to participation in a program." (Source: Corte Agriscience, Sept., 2021) Contact: Corte Agriscience, Ben Gordon, portfolio lead for Carbon Ecosystems and Services, (833) 267-8382, www.corteva.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  Carbon Crops,  Carbon Credit,  

Industrial Bank C.
Date: 2021-08-23
China's Industrial Bank Co., Ltd reports the issuance of a carbon sink loan totaling roughly $2.77 million to an unnamed company managing coastal wetlands in Jiaozhou Bay in east China's Shandong Province. The loan proceeds will be used for purchasing and planting crops with higher carbon uptake capacity on wetland for ecological conservation, according to the bank.

The issuance of the loan took into account an overall analysis on the wetland's carbon sequestration capacity as a fundamental factor, and the loan amount was based on the transaction prices in the national carbon market, with the wetland's long-term income from carbon trading as collateral, the bank noted.

China previously announced it will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. (Source: China.org,, 21 Aug., 2021) Contact: Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., www.cib.com.cn/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Sink,  China Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Date: 2021-07-30
In Ottawa, the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced more than $25 million in funding from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund in 2021--2022 to conserve, restore, and enhance critical wetlands and grasslands, protect biodiversity and sequester carbon. The funding recipients include:

Ducks Unlimited Canada will receive up to $19.28 million over three years for projects to conserve and restore wetland and grassland habitats in the Prairies, including the restoration of croplands to grasslands. These lands will capture and store carbon, while providing a range of other ecological benefits.

Nature Conservancy of Canada will receive up to $4.05 million over three years for projects to retain and restore carbon stocks by conserving, restoring, and enhancing management of Prairie grasslands and wetlands; and

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation will receive up to $2.4 million over three years for projects to conserve, restore, and enhance management of threatened grasslands and wetlands in order to store carbon while providing a range of other benefits for local communities in the agricultural zone of southwestern Manitoba, including improving water quality and supporting wildlife habitat.

Collectively, these projects are projected to conserve up to 30,000 hectares; restore up to 6,000 hectares; and contribute to the enhanced management of up to 18,000 hectares of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas.

The Government of Canada is investing $4 billion over the next ten years (2021--2031) in the Natural Climate Solutions Fund, which supports activities to build a more resilient economy and a healthier, greener future. Activities include: 2 Billion Trees Commitment, led by Natural Resources Canada ($3.19 billion); Nature Smart Climate Solutions, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada ($631 million); and Agricultural Climate Solutions, led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($185 million). (Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, PR, 23 July, 2021) Contact: Environment and Climate Change Canada, www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Sequestration,  Soil Carbon,  

Irish Marine Institute
Date: 2021-07-23
The Government of Ireland has tasked the Marine Institute -- the State agency responsible for marine research and innovation -- to undertake a collaborative research initiative aimed at investigating the climate-change mitigation potential of blue carbon and working towards creating an inventory that will assist the EU in meeting Ireland's climate-change objectives. Funding of up to €1.6 million has been earmarked for the project to run from 2021 to 2026.

The absorption and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the world's oceans and coastal regions has been identified as one of the ways in which marine ecosystems can reduce the impacts of climate change. Launched in June 2020, Ireland's Programme for Government recognized the "the enormous blue carbon potential that the ocean has to offer in tackling climate change."

In preparation for the research programme, the Marine Institute commissioned Blue Carbon and Marine Carbon Sequestration in Irish Waters and Coastal Habitats, a synthesis report to review existing knowledge on blue carbon habitats and their role as carbon sinks in Ireland.

Download the Blue Carbon and Marine Carbon Sequestration report HERE. (Source: Marine Institute, PR, Afloat.ie, July , 2021) Contact: Irish Marine Institute, www.oar.marine.ie

More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Carbon,  

Enchant Energy
Date: 2021-07-19
In New Mexico, Enchant Energy is calling for state lawmakers to consider legislation to clarify "pore space" ownership and related issues.

Pore space -- the empty space between grains of rocks underground where the firm hopes to store carbon it would remove while running the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station with carbon capture technology -- starts just below the surface and can be used to sequester carbon dioxide by injecting the gas thousands of feet underground.

Enchant Energy has been working with the City of Farmington to retrofit the San Juan Generating Station with carbon capture technology after current operations end next year.

According to the company, pore space ownership is beneficial to the state by creating jobs, furthering economic development and generating taxes and payments from injection fees as well as defining ownership and conveyance without harming mineral rights. Montana, Oklahoma and Wyoming presently have pore space legislation. (Source: Enchant Energy, PR, Farmington Times, 17 July, 2021) Contact: Enchant Energy, Ciny Crane, CEO, 505-436-1828, www.enchantenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enchant Energy,  CCS,  Carbon Storage,  Carbon Sequestration,  

Fertoz
Date: 2021-07-09
Melbourne, Australia-based phosphate developer and organic fertilizer manufacturer and supplier Fertoz reports it plans to raise $5 million (AUS) in a share placement to accelerate the development of its Fertoz Carbon division.

The new division will focus on carbon sequestration, consulting activities, trading and carbon implementation strategies using the company's organic fertilisers as a key input in improving soil health and carbon accretion. (Source: Fertoz, PR, Website, 8 July, 2021) Contact: Fertoz, +61 3 8 395 5446, (720) 413-4520 -- US Office, www.fertoz.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  Carbon Capture,  Carbon Sequestration,  

Iowa
Date: 2021-06-25
In the Hawkeye State, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed an executive order on Tuesday launching a task force to explore carbon sequestration and the opportunities it presents for further economic development in Iowa. Governor Reynolds will serve as the leader of the Carbon Sequestration Task Force that was recommended by her previously appointed Economic Recovery Advisory Board. Task force members will assist in formulating policy recommendations ahead of the 2022 legislative session.

Details on the Task Force are www.iowaeda.com/carbon-sequestration (Source: Office of the Governor, Sioux City Journal, 23 June, 2021) Contact: Office of Iowa Governor, 515 -281-5211, www.governor.iowa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Sequestration,  

Boomitra
Date: 2021-06-23
Silicon Valley, California-headquartered Boomitra. -- fka ConserWater -- a technology start-up working on removal of atmospheric carbon by using artificial intelligence in agriculture, reports having raised $4 million from Yara Growth Ventures, the VC arm of fertiliser major Yara International. Other investors include Chevron Technology Ventures, Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo, Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor.

Boomitra's satellite and Artificial Intelligence-based technology directly measures soil carbon levels without using sensors or soil sampling which enables soil carbon sequestration to be scaled on a global level. It also enables farmers worldwide to participate and increase their incomes, according to the company.

Boomitra operates an international soil carbon market, where corporations and governments are able to get the lowest-cost internationally certified carbon removal credits and farmers are incentivised to increase soil organic carbon, sequestering CO2.

Boomitra works with ground partners across more than 2 million acres in countries such as Mexico, Kenya and India and is in the process of generating and certifying more than 10 million tonnes of carbon removal this year. (Source: Boomitra, PR, Website, 22 June, 2021) Contact: Boomitra, Aadith Moorthy, CEO, info @ boomitra .com, www.boomitra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Removal,  Soil Carbon,  Boomitra,  

Date: 2021-06-23
In Maryland, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has released the county's Climate Action Plan that aims to reduce GHG emissions by 80 pct by 2027 and by 100 pct by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The plan, which outlines 86 climate actions, is "one of the most ambitious climate plans in the nation for a local government", according to the release.

The main elements of the Climate Action Plan include:

Reduce Emissions in the Energy, Buildings and Transportation sectors -- The plan recommends actions that include increasing the use of and investment in clean, reliable and affordable energy; implementing code requirements related to energy efficiency, solar installations and net-zero standards and building energy performance standards for existing buildings; expanding public transit service, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and a shared micro-mobility network; and supporting community-wide adoption of electric vehicles.

Center Racial Equity and Social Justice -- The plan considers the racial equity and social justice implications of each climate action through the identification of equity-enhancing measures. The plan also assesses impacts on communities most vulnerable to climate hazards.

Address Residual Emissions and Carbon Sequestration -- The plan identifies nature-based carbon sequestration actions including retaining, managing and expanding forests, wetlands, grasslands and urban tree canopy. It also seeks to increase carbon in soils through improved agricultural practices.

Reduce Climate Risk -- This will be achieved through actions that enhance the resilience of the community and infrastructure assets, including repairing and upgrading stormwater drainage and management systems; updating green streetscape and green infrastructure standards; hardening emergency shelters and installing resilience hubs; and updating floodplain maps.

Identify Ways to Pay for Climate Action -- Implementing the actions in the plan calls for commitment from the public and private sectors while leveraging local, State and Federal government resources. It will be critical to mitigate the cost impacts to low-and moderate-income residents in particular to ensure that the most vulnerable residents are not adversely impacted.

Enhance Climate Governance -- This will be accomplished through actions that institutionalize climate change considerations within Montgomery County Government processes and decision making; measure and report on progress; and foster creativity, collaboration and innovation to implement climate solutions.

Engage the Community as Partners in Climate Action -- Residents will be involved in the implementation of the plan through a climate communications coalition; a Community Justice Academy in which community ambassadors work with neighbors and the County to co-create community-based solutions; and enhanced partnerships with municipalities. The plan increases opportunities for climate change education in the public school system and calls for a statewide coalition of local governments and youth groups focused on advancing ambitious State climate policy.

Download the plan details HERE. (Source: Montgomery County, PR June, 2021) Contact: Montgomery County Maryland, Marc Elrich, Climate Action Plan, County Executive , www.montgomerycountymd.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  GHG Emissions,  

Aemetis
Date: 2021-06-18
Following up on our 30th April report, Cupertino, California-based renewable natural gas (RNG), renewable fuel and biochemicals specialist Aemetis, Inc. reports it has awarded an engineering services contract to Worley for the Aemetis Carbon Zero renewable jet and diesel plant in Riverbank, California.

The Aemetis Carbon Zero renewable jet and diesel project is designed to "hydrotreat" renewable oils with hydrogen from orchard and forest wood waste. By utilizing hydroelectric electricity and carbon sequestration along with negative carbon intensity hydrogen, the Aemetis plant is expected to produce among the lowest carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel in the world.

Worley is providing engineering to implement Axens renewable jet and diesel technology at the Riverbank site. Axens's technology hydrotreats a wide range of lipids to produce low-density and high cetane renewable diesel and renewable sulphur-free jet fuel. The Axens technology produces renewable jet and renewable diesel in an integrated process. (Source: Aemetis, Website PR, 16 June, 2020) Contact: Worley, www.worley.com; Aemetis Biogas, Andy Foster, Pres., Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com; Axens, Patrick Sarrazin, Exec. VP, www.axens.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Axens,  Aemetis,  Worley,  RNG,  

Ireland Marine Institute
Date: 2021-06-16
The of Government of Ireland has tasked the Marine Institute -- the State agency responsible for marine research and innovation -- to undertake collaborative research aimed at investigating the climate-change mitigation potential of blue carbon and working towards creating an inventory that will assist the EU in meeting Ireland's climate-change objectives. Funding of up to €1.6 million has been earmarked for the project to run from 2021 to 2026.

The absorption and storage of atmospheric CO2 in the world's oceans and coastal regions has been identified as one of the ways in which marine ecosystems can reduce the impacts of climate change.

Launched in June 2020, Ireland's Programme for Government recognized the "the enormous blue carbon potential that the ocean has to offer in tackling climate change."

In order to prepare the ground for such a large-scale research programme, the Marine Institute commissioned Blue Carbon and Marine Carbon Sequestration in Irish Waters and Coastal Habitats, a synthesis report to review existing knowledge on blue carbon habitats and their role as carbon sinks in Ireland. Download the report HERE. (Source: Marine Institute, PR, Afloat.ie, June, 2021) Contact: Marine Institute, www.oar.marine.ie

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change Mitigation,  Blue Carbon,  Climate Change,  

Aalto University
Date: 2021-06-16
A new study led by Finland's Aalto University is the first to map out how green infrastructure can be a resource for cities on the path to carbon neutrality. The study, done in collaboration with the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the University of Helsinki, charted the lifecycle phases of plants, soils and mulches to determine the basic considerations needed to create standards for products commonly used in green urban spaces. p> The study identified the existing carbon footprint standards, widely used in the construction industry, that would need development if applied to green infrastructure. To do so, they compared the flows of carbon in soils, mulches and plants over their lifespans. The team then tried to translate these carbon flows into the standardised reporting format used for conventional building products.

The study recommendations provide a concrete basis for developing global and regional -- for example, European Union -- standards for green infrastructure. The aim is to ensure claims of carbon storage hold true, as well as eventually have a tool for landscape designers to help plan new areas or refurbishing existing urban spaces.

The recommendations are particularly relevant for countries and regions like the Nordics, where nature has been traditionally integrated into urban landscapes. However, they can also help other areas meet their carbon targets.

Researchers at Aalto University, together with consortium partners of the Co-Carbon project, are currently starting field tests to determine the exact carbon sequestration potential of plants at various stages of growth. While the carbon storage potential of trees is relatively well-known, the study is set to be the first to focus on plants and bushes, elements commonly used in urban landscaping. At Luke, researchers are developing a tool to model the changes in carbon storage of plants and soil at regional level due to land use changes. Such a tool could help planners target and maintain existing carbon storage in plants and soil. (Source: Aalto University, PR, Website, June, 2021) Contact: Aalto University, Dr. Matti Kuittinen, Dr. Matti Kuittinen, +358 5059 47990, matti.kuittinen@aalto.fi, www.aalto.fi; Natural Resources Institute Finland, Dr. Eeva-Maria Tuhkanen, Research scientist, +358 2953 26595, eeva-maria.tuhkanen@luke.fi, www.luke.fi

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Foot Print,  

ALberta
Date: 2021-06-11
In Edmonton, "The Government of Alberta sees carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) as an integral part of our environmental and economic future. Injecting carbon dioxide underground is a proven process and has occurred in Alberta for decades. However, as a means to address greenhouse gas emissions and recognize the environmental benefit of CCUS, a strong regulatory system must exist. The regulatory system is especially important with the large volumes of carbon dioxide that need to be captured and injected to meet global climate targets. The system must establish a high level of rigor that accounts for and demonstrates the permanent storage of every tonne of carbon dioxide.

"Moving forward, the government will issue carbon sequestration rights through a competitive process, advancing the development of strategically located carbon storage hubs that will provide carbon sequestration services to a number of industrial facilities. The intent is to enhance Alberta's carbon management system by providing confidence to industry investors and Albertans that CCUS will be deployed in a responsible and strategic manner."

Download the Carbon Sequestration Tenure Management document HERE. (Source: Gov. of Alberta, Energy Operations, May, 2021) Contact: Gov. of Alberta, Energy, carboncapture.energy@alberta.gov.ca, www.alberta.gov.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CCUS,  Carbon Emissions,  

Canadian Natural Resources
Date: 2021-06-09
On the Canadian prairies, Calgary-based Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor Energy are touting the recent launch of the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative. The Initiative will work collectively with the Canadian federal and Alberta governments is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands operations by 2050 to help Canada meet its climate goals, including its Paris Agreement commitments and 2050 net zero aspirations.

Pathways vision is anchored by a major Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) trunkline connected to a carbon sequestration hub to enable multi-sector tie-in projects for expanded emissions reductions. The initiative pathways to address GHG emissions includes:

A core Alberta infrastructure corridor linking oil sands facilities in the Fort McMurray and Cold Lake regions to a carbon sequestration hub near Cold Lake via a CO2 trunkline. The trunkline would also be available to other industries in the region interested in capturing and sequestering CO2. There is also potential to link the infrastructure corridor to the Edmonton region.

Deploying existing and emerging GHG reduction technologies at oil sands operations along the corridor, including CCUS technology, clean hydrogen, process improvements, energy efficiency, fuel switching and electrification.

Evaluating, piloting and accelerating application of potential emerging emissions-reducing technologies including direct air capture, next-generation recovery technologies and small modular nuclear reactors.

In addition to collaborating and investing together with industry, it is essential for governments to develop enabling policies, fiscal programs and regulations to provide certainty for this type of long-term, large-scale investment. This includes dependable access to carbon sequestration rights, emissions reduction credits (RECs) and ongoing investment tax credits. (Source: Canadian Natural Resources, PR, Website, 9 June, 2021) Contact: Canadian Natural Resources, Tim McKay, Pres., (403) 517-6700, Facsimile (403) 517-7350 , www.cnrl.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Oil Sand,  Carbon Emissions,  

UCLA
Date: 2021-06-07
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) are developing a single-step carbon sequestration and storage (sCS2) technology that captures carbon from the atmosphere in a process that mimics the formation of seashells on the ocean floor. In lab experiments, the team tested a prototype that pulls in seawater and creates limestone and magnesite, the same materials created by mollusks to form seashells.

Because the ocean and atmosphere are in a state of equilibrium, the ocean essentially acts as a sponge for the atmosphere's CO2. However, as it is already saturated it can't take any more. If CO2 is removed in large amounts from the ocean though, it will then suck more out of the atmosphere. This is the main idea behind the UCLA scientists' new technology, which is aimed at speeding up the process of turning CO2 into minerals in ocean water. The machine can either gather the seashell-like material for use on land, or it can release it back into the ocean. The seawater used in the machine flows back out to the ocean, where it will then absorb more CO2.

A benefit of this method is that CO2 levels are 150 times more concentrated in seawater than they are in the air, meaning any method extracting CO2 from the ocean is more efficient. The sCS2 method also develops hydrogen as a commercial byproduct. The research notes that removing CO2 from the atmosphere is "first and foremost" an economic challenge, given the scale of the task, and that it would take approximately 1,800 of their sCS2 plants to remove 10 billion metric tpy of CO2 at a cost of trillions of dollars. Capturing 10 billion metric tpy of CO2 would require 1,800 of the devices.

The research team's next step is to run real-world experiments to improve their technology by collect data they couldn't acquire in the laboratory. The e process has some advantages compared to other carbon-removal technology, including the fact that seawater already naturally takes up CO2 at a high concentration, 150 times the level in air. (Source: UCLA, PR, June, FastCo, 3 June, 2021) Contact: UCLA, Civil Engineering Prof. Gaurav Sant, www.samueli.ucla.edu/gaurav-sant

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  UCLA,  Hydrogen,  

Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance
Date: 2021-05-05
The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) has developed the following specific recommendations for how the U.S. USDA should approach a potential carbon bank -- a voluntary policy mechanism to help reduce barriers that producers and landowners face to participating in voluntary carbon markets and adopting climate-smart practices.

FACA recommends that USDA lay the foundation for a potential carbon bank by first developing a series of pilot projects aimed at:

Scaling climate solutions -- Pilot projects should help increase adoption of climate-smart practices that reduce, directly capture or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, and/or increase climate resilience. Pilots should deploy "critical climate infrastructure" to increase the capacity of farmers, ranchers and forest owners to adapt to climate change, while ensuring food and economic security.

Removing barriers to adoption -- Pilot projects should encourage the widespread adoption of climate-smart practices and critical climate infrastructure by removing barriers and making it easier for producers and landowners to adopt these practices.

Improving carbon accounting standards -- USDA should develop consistent and credible criteria to account for the carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction benefits of climate-smart agriculture and forestry projects and practices.

Ensuring equitable opportunities -- Pilot projects must be developed with and provide equitable opportunities for minority, socially disadvantaged and small-scale producers.

Information gained from the pilots will serve two critical purposes -- First, it will help USDA build a durable foundation for a carbon bank that gains long-term bipartisan congressional support. Second, it will help USDA build confidence in how to verify the climate benefits delivered by specific practices and management approaches.

According to the FACA, this approach will lay essential building blocks for a voluntary carbon bank that creates opportunities for all producers and landowners to participate in rapidly developing voluntary private markets and leverages private investment in agricultural and forestry climate solutions. As USDA develops a carbon bank, it must protect all existing funding for farm bill conservation and insurance programs, and it must ensure that a USDA-led carbon bank doesn't undermine voluntary private markets.

The FACA consists of 70 member organizations representing farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agribusinesses, manufacturers, the food and innovation sector, state governments, sportsmen, and environmental advocates. These groups have broken through historical barriers to develop and promote shared climate policy priorities across the entire agriculture, food and forestry value chains, according to its website. (Source: FACA, Website PR, 3 Apr., 2021) Contact: FACA, www.agclimatealliance.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Voluntary Carbon Market,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Carbon Bank,  Carbon Storage,  CCS,  

Qube Technologies, Enhance Energy
Date: 2021-05-03
On the Canadian prairies, Calgary-based Qube Technologies Inc. reports the Alberta Energy Regulator has approved Qube's alternative leak detection and repair pilot program to detect and repair climate-warming methane leaks from the Oil and Gas industry.

Qube uses low-cost, high-sensitivity sensors to continuously and autonomously measure a host of gases in real-time to detect emissions faster than traditional industry approaches. Qube analyzes field data with the help of artificial intelligence and, by combining gas measurements, atmospheric data, and other operational inputs, can locate and quantify different leaks by emission source and severity, according to the release.

In collaboration with Enhance Energy and Highwood Emissions Management, Qube has become the first continuous monitoring technology to successfully demonstrate emission reductions effectiveness in the eyes of a regulator. Enhance is an Alberta-based energy company that specializes in using carbon sequestration to improve the recovery of energy resources in a sustainable fashion. To date, Enhance has sequestered over 1 million tonnes of CO2. (Source: Qube Technologies Inc., Website, PR, 3 May, 2021) Contact: Qube Technologies, Alex MacGregor, CEO, Alex.MacGregor@qubeiot.com, www.qubeiot.com; Highwood Emissions Management, Thomas Fox, Pres., Thomas@highwoodemissions.com, www.highwoodemissions.com; Enhance Energy, www.enhancenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Methane Emissions news,  Methane Leak news,  

Archaea Energy
Date: 2021-04-09
Carnegie, Pennsylvania- based Rice Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company focused on the energy transition sector, reports an agreement to combine Novi, Michigan-based Aria Energy LLC and Belle Vernon, Penna.-based biogas developer Archaea to create Archaea Energy, a renewable natural gas (RNG) platform. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 this year.

New company highlights include:

The business combination is expected to create the industry-leading platform in the U.S. to capture and convert waste emissions from landfills and anaerobic digesters into low-carbon RNG, electricity, and green hydrogen.

Aria, a portfolio company of funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corp is being acquired for $680 million and brings a comprehensive portfolio of operational LFG assets, best-in-class operating experience, and a deep inventory of greenfield LFG-to-RNG projects and electric-to-RNG conversion opportunities.

Archaea LLC is being acquired for $347 million and brings leading RNG technology professionals, a deep inventory of LFG-to-RNG projects -- including the world's largest RNG plant currently under construction (Project Assai) -- an innovative commercial strategy, groundbreaking low-cost carbon sequestration, and negative-carbon LFG-to-green hydrogen development projects currently in the design stage.

Pro forma for the transaction, the combined Company will have over $350 million of cash on the balance sheet, providing ample liquidity to fund its pipeline of development projects and bridging the combined Company to free cash flow generation starting in 2023.

The combined Company will be headquartered in Cannonsburg, Penna. led by a majority-independent board consisting of executives Daniel J. Rice, IV, Kyle Derham, Kate Jackson, Joe Malchow, and Jim Torgerson of RAC; Nicholas Stork, CEO of Archaea; and Scott Parkes of Aria. (Source: Rice Acquisition Corp., PR, 7 Apr., 2021) Contact: Archea Energy, Nick Stork, CEO, info@archaea.energy, www.archaeaenergy.com; Aria Energy, Richard DiGia, CEO, (248) 380-3920, www.ariaenergy.com: Rice Acquisition Corp., www.ricepac.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Aria Energy,  Archaea Energy,  ,  

USDA
Date: 2021-04-07
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that over the past 28 years it has protected more than 5 million acres of wetlands, grasslands, and prime farmland -- an area the size of New Jersey -- in perpetuity through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). ACEP helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements

Wetland Easements -- totaling over 2.8 million acres nationwide -- improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reducing flooding, recharging groundwater, protecting biological diversity while Agricultural Land Easements protect productive working lands being converted to non-agricultural uses. Agricultural land easements total more than 1.9 million acres.

Working with private landowners to protect, preserve and restore wetlands, grasslands, forests and farmlands is integral to USDA's efforts to build resiliency and reduce the impacts of climate change across the nation. Easements allow landowners to partner with NRCS to implement voluntary climate-smart management practices that maximize the amount of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere and stored in soils or plant biomass across these landscapes.

The Biden Administration USDA is engaged in a "whole-of-government effort to combat the climate crisis and conserve and protect our nation's lands, biodiversity and natural resources including our soil, air and water." (Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PR, 3 April, 2021) Contact: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Terry Cosby, Acting Chief, 202-690-7246, www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home

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Mass. Climate Change
Date: 2021-03-29
Following up on our Jan. 6th coverage, Bay State Gov. Charlie Baker (D) has signed into law climate legislation committing Massachusetts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, establish interim emissions goals between now and the middle of the century, adopt energy efficiency standards for appliances, authorize another 2,400 MW of offshore wind power and address needs in environmental justice communities.

The new law requires that greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 be at least 50 pct lower than 1990 emissions, and that 2040 emissions be at least 75 pct lower and that 2050 emissions be at least 85 pct below 1990 emissions. The remaining 15 pct will be achieved through carbon sequestration and carbon banking.

The bill also requires the Department of Public Utilities to consider emissions reductions on an equal footing as its considerations of power generation reliability and affordability within 90 days, that the governor appoint three green building experts to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, and that the administration establish the first-ever greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for the home energy efficiency program MassSave. (Source: Various Media, Sentinal Herald, 27 Mar., 2021)Contact: Office of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, (617) 725-4005, www.mass.gov/governor

More Low-Carbon Energy News Charlie Baker,  Climate Change,  MassSave,  

Schlumberger, LafargeHolcim
Date: 2021-02-12
Building materials firm LafargeHolcim and Schlumberger New Energy are reporting a partnership to explore the feasibility of capturing carbon at LafargeHolcim cement plants and storing it using Schlumberger's carbon sequestration technologies, according to various industry media. Rigzone report.

According to a Schlumberger statement, a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) feasibility study will focus on a pair of LafargeHolcim cement plants in Europe and North America. Schlumberger also noted its LafargeHolcim collaboration marks a step toward developing a blueprint for large-scale CCS deployment. (Source: Schlumberger New Energy, Rigzone, 10 Feb., 2021)Contact: LafargeHolcim Ltd, Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Stephanie Sulcer, Communications, 847 716 0368, stephanie.sulcer@lafargeholcim.com, www.lafargeholcim.com; Schlumberger New Energy, Ashok Belani, Exec. VP, www.slb.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LafargeHolcim,  Schlumberger,  CCS,