ENGIE,Heathrow Airport
Date: 2020-03-20
In the UK, ENGIE is reporting an agreement under which it will supply London's Heathrow Airport with Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin Scheme (RGGOs) certified biomethane from anaerobic digestion (AD) until March 2022. The agreement builds on an existing partnership in which ENGIE supplies biomethane to the airport's Energy Centre. (Source: ENGIE, Various Media, Bioenergy Insight, 19 Mar., 2020) Contact: ENGIE, www.engie.com/en; Heathrow Airport, John Holland-Kaye, CEO, +44 0 8443 351801, www.heathrow.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENGIE,  Biomethane,  Heathrow,  anaerobic digestion,  

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-03-16
From the Land Down Under, The Fifth Estate has offered the following brief clarifications of the plethora of commonly used carbon emissions related terms:

Net Zero Energy -- There's two ways of looking at this. The first is based on simple math, and means a building, precinct, process or region generates as much energy within its own boundaries or site as it pulls in from elsewhere over a specific period -- most often a year. The other definition is a building or precinct or region that generates 100 per cent of its own energy needs on site or within its boundaries.

Net Positive Energy -- When a building or precinct generates more energy than it uses and shares that energy through either a local microgrid or by sending it into the main grid, it becomes energy positive.

Carbon Negative -- Carbon negative is used for larger scales than individual buildings, such as precincts, regions, businesses or even entire nations. It means absorbing more carbon than all combined carbon emissions within the specific area or operation.

Carbon Neutral -- Carbon neutral is basically a balancing act where a building, business or region sequesters or offsets as much carbon as it emits.

Carbon Offsets -- All offsets are not created equal -- there are dirt-cheap offsets sloshing around the global carbon market from questionable projects in far-flung places. But not only are they scientifically and ethically questionable, they also will not meet the standards required for formal third-party carbon neutral certification. The best offsets deliver co-benefits beyond just sequestering carbon, such as improving biodiversity, increasing water quality or catchment protection, generating social benefits, local economic benefits or supporting Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge.

Operational Emissions -- Most carbon accounting undertaken for the purposes of carbon neutral certification focus on carbon emissions generated by the operation of a building, business or region. It's not just emissions from energy or fuel use though. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol defines three "scopes" or categories of carbon emissions as follows -- Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from "owned or controlled sources" such as a fleet of vehicles, a power plant or a manufacturing plant. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of energy used within a building, plant or region. Scope 3 emissions are all the indirect emissions in a business, process or region's value chain both upstream and downstream. This would include something like methane emissions from waste sent to landfill, or the emissions from energy used to make the widgets that a business procures then retails.

Embodied Carbon -- Basically, almost everything we use from a smartphone to a building, has embodied carbon. Embodied or upfront carbon refers to the emissions released during the manufacture and transport of building materials, and the construction as well the end-of-life-phases of built assets. (Source: Fifth Estate Australia, Mar, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon,  Carbon Emissions,  

Future Biogas
Date: 2020-03-11
In the UK, Fern AD, a new BOCK and Guildford-based Future Biogas partnership venture farm and anaerobic digestion (AD) technology brand launching in April, 2020, will offer top-performance products and specialist consultancy for the UK agricultural and AD sectors.

Specialising solely in AD technology, Fern helps AD plant owners and managers use the latest science to optimize biogas outputs. Fern AD is also the exclusive retailer of its own "T16" digester additive, made with a balanced recipe of trace elements.

Future Biogas' biologists have extensive experience in the field, working on the company's 13 AD plants. The firm harvests 250,000 tonnes of maize to power its plants and produces 50MW of biogas every hour of the year, according to the company website. (Source: Fern AD Website, Mar.,2020) Contact: Fern, Helen Wyman, Mgr., +44 0 7830 66452, www.fernfarming.com; Future Biogas, Philip Lukas, Managing Dir., +44 (0) 1483 375 920, info@futurebiogas.com, www.futurebiogass.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Future Biogas,  Biogas,  Methane,  Anaerobic Digestion ,  

CenterPoint Energy
Date: 2020-03-06
Houston-headquartered electric and natural delivery company CenterPoint Energy reports it aims to reduce its operational emissions by 70 pct by 2035 and emissions attributable to natural gas usage in heating, appliances and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20 to 30 pct by 2040 -- based on its 2005 emissions.

To that end, CenterPoint will continue to offer customers energy efficiency programs and continue investing in renewable forms of energy on both the natural gas and electric sides of the business. The company will also partner with natural gas suppliers to lower methane emissions across the natural gas value chain as well as support communities where it operates with their climate action goals, according to the company release. (Source: CenterPoint Energy, PR, Mar., 2020) Contact: CenterPoint Energy, Angila Retherford, VP Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability, www.CenterPointEnergy.com

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

Eni S.p.A.
Date: 2020-03-04
is reporting plans to planning to have 55GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2050. Under its Long-Term Strategic Plan to 2050, Italian oil and gas firm Eni S.p.A. is aiming to slash net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its energy products by 80 pct by 2050 by using renewable energies, biomethane, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), methanol and products from the recycling of waste materials.

According to a release, the Rome-headquartered company has "quantified our carbon footprint reduction targets giving ourselves a comprehensive method of calculating emissions, which includes both direct and indirect emissions deriving from the end-use of our products, whether from our own production or purchased from third parties." (Source: Eni S.p.A., Bioenergy Insight, Mar., 2020) Contact: Eni S.p.A., Claudio Descalzi, CEO, +39 06 598 21, +39 06 598 22141 - fax, www.eni.com/en-IT/home.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni,  Biodiesel,  Green Diesel,  Biomethane,  

Consumers Energy
Date: 2020-03-04
In its 2019 Clean Energy Plan, Jackson, Michigan-headquartered Consumers Energy announced it aimed to reduce 90 pct of the carbon emissions it generates by eliminating the use of coal and working with customers to use energy more efficiently in an effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Consumers previously committed to being coal-free by 2040 in its Integrated Resource Plan which included building 6,000 MW of new solar by 2030. The utility also launched a public outreach campaign focused on energy efficiency. The new commitment will supplement Consumers' existing plan to eliminate coal, expand renewable energy resources and help customers reduce their energy use. Consumers also may offset further emissions through strategies such as carbon sequestration, landfill methane capture or large-scale tree planting. (Source: Consumers Energy, PR, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Mar., 2020) Contact: Consumers Energy, Patti Poppe, CEO, (517) 788-0550, info@cmsenergy.com, www.ConsumersEnergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Consumers Energy,  Net-Zero Carbon,  

Kinetrex Energy
Date: 2020-03-04
Following up on our 8th Novemberm 2019 report, Indianapolis-based Kinetrex Energy is reporting the ribbon-cutting opening of of the Hoosier State's largest renewable natural gas (RNG) facility -- the $25 million Indy High BTU plant is capable of converting landfill methane gas into about 8 million gpy of RNG for transportation fuel.

Kinetrex developed the facility in conjunction with Australia-based sustainable energy producer EDL and South Side Landfill of Indianapolis.(Source: Kinetrex, Inside Indiana Bus., 2 Mar., 2020) Contact: Kinetrex Energy, Aaron Johnson, CEO, 317-886-8179, www.kinetrexenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kinetrex Energy ,  Biogas,  Methane,  Landfill Methane,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

Xcel Energy,ONE Future
Date: 2020-02-28
Minneapolis-headquartered Xcel Energy is reporting its largest single-year drop in emissions in 2019, cutting carbon by 5.6 million tons -- more than 10 pct reduction in one year.

Since 2005, Xcel has reduced carbon emissions by 44 pct due in part to the completion of three significant wind projects in 2018 and 2019, including Rush Creek in Colorado, and Hale and Bonita in Texas. Other factors include flexible coal plant operations, strong performance from the company's nuclear fleet and low natural gas prices, which allowed Xcel Energy to continue reducing coal generation, according to the release.

Xcel Energy notes it has joined ONE Future -- a consortium of natural gas companies working to voluntarily reduce methane emissions below 1 pct by 2025 -- and has pledged to keep its own methane emissions to less than .2 pct in its natural gas operations. The company has also invested more than $1 billion to improve its natural gas pipelines and tighten its system. The company also participates in EPA's voluntary Natural Gas STAR and its Methane Challenge program. (Source: Xcel Energy, PR, Bus.Wire, 26 Feb., 2020) Contact: Xcel Energy, Media, (612) 215-5300, www.xcelenergy.com; ONE Future, www.onefuture.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Xcel Energy,  Carbon Emissions,  

BP
Date: 2020-02-28
Petroleum industry giant BP reports it is dropping its affiliation with three industry trade association on the grounds that the associations' climate change related policies and positions do not align with BP's.

BP is dropping the Western Energy Alliance because its interests did not aligned on federal regulation of methane in the US, and the Western States Petroleum Association and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers over carbon pricing positions.

As previously reported on 14 Feb., BP plans to:

Achieve a 50 pct cut in the carbon intensity of its products by 2050 or sooner

Install methane measurement at all BP major oil and gas processing sites by 2023 and reduce methane intensity of operations by 50 pct.

Increase its investment in non-oil and gas businesses over time.

More actively advocate for policies that support net-zero, including carbon pricing -- carbon tax.

Further incentivise the company's workforce to deliver aims and mobilize them to advocate for net- zero and set new expectations for relationships with trade associations.

Aim for recognition as a leader for transparency of reporting, including supporting the recommendations of the TCFD, and launch a new team to help countries, cities and large companies decarbonize.

BP's current worldwide greenhouse gas emissions from its operations stand at 55 million tpy of CO2 equivalent (MteCO2e), and the carbon in the oil and gas that it produces is equivalent currently to around 360 MteCO2e emissions a year -- both on an absolute basis. Taken together, delivery of these aims would equate to a reduction in emissions to net zero from what is currently around 415 MteCO2e a year, according to the BP release. (Source: BP Website, 26 Feb., 2020) Contact: BP Press Office, +44 (0) 20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com, www.bp.com

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

Smithfield, Roeslein I
Date: 2020-02-24
Virginia-headquartered Smithfield Foods Inc. and St. Louis-based Roeslein Alternative Energy are reporting an additional $45 million investment in their Monarch Bioenergy joint venture, which captures methane from hog manure to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) in Missouri. The additional investment will enable the continued implementation of manure-to-energy projects on Smithfield's farms, resulting in RNG generation across 85 pct of the company's hog finishing spaces in the state.

Monarch converts hog manure collected from Smithfield Hog Production farms in into RNG, while simultaneously delivering ecological services and developing wildlife habitat. Through this joint venture, all Smithfield company-owned finishing farms in Missouri will have the infrastructure to produce RNG. (Source: Smithfield Foods Inc., PR, 21 Feb., 2020) Contact: Smithfield Foods, Ken Sullivan, Pres, CEO, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com, www.smithfield.com; ; Roeslein Alternative Energy, Rudi Roeslein, Pres., Brian Gale, Bus. Dev., Chris Roach, Proj. Dev., (314) 729-0055, croach@roesleinae.com, www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Smithfield,  Roeslein ,  Monarch Bioenergy,  RNG,  

Woods Hole Research Center
Date: 2020-02-24
In the Bay State, the Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC), in partnership with the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (BCSIA), reports it aims to develop a comprehensive monitoring and projection system for Arctic Carbon Cycling, complete with interactive web visualization, modeling, and policy engagement.

Carbon emissions from thawing permafrost are omitted from the models and reports that inform international climate policy formulation by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Considering that permafrost carbon emissions will likely "use up" much of the remaining allowable carbon budget, incorporating these emissions into a policy framework is an immediate priority and will probably reveal the need for substantial reductions in allowable emissions from other sources.

The ability to model and predict this potentially ruinous climate feedback is far from adequate today because of poor understanding of the processes that govern permafrost thaw and subsequent carbon emissions. These monitoring gaps severely limit the ability to integrate observations across the Arctic using remote sensing and modeling and thus to provide scientists and policy makers with reliable assessments and projections of current and future carbon emissions from a warming Arctic.

Access Arctic Carbon Monitoring and Prediction System details HERE and HERE. (Source: Woods Hole Research Center, Feb., 2020) Contact: Woods Hole Research Center, 508-540-9900, 508-540-9700 - fax, info@whrc.org, wwwwhrc.org; Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, 617-495-1155, www.belfercenter.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woods Hole,  Woods Hole Research Center,  Permafrost,  Methane,  Climate Change,  

International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Date: 2020-02-21
A new report just released by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) concludes that using LNG for maritime bunkers (martine fuel) may have little positive impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The ICCT analysis compares LNG, marine gas oil, very low sulphur fuel oil and heavy fuel oil used in marine engines in the LNG tanker and cruise sectors. However, results varied widely depending on engine technology. High-pressure dual fuel (HPDF) machinery came out top but the ICCT estimates that only 90 of the 750-plus LNG-fuelled ships in service use these engines. Moreover, using a 20-year global warming potential model and taking into account upstream emissions, combustion emissions and methane slip, there is no climate benefit from using LNG, regardless of engine technology, the analysis concludes.

The ICCT's findings come as a serious blow to those who have advocated LNG as an interim fuel on the path to low- and zero-carbon propulsion technologies.

Download the ICCT Climate Implications of Using LNG as a Marine Fuel report HERE. (Source: ICCT, Stand Earth.com, Seatrade, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: International Council of Clean Transportation, twitter@theicct.org, communications@theicct.org, www.theittc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News LNG,  Alternative Fuel,  GHG,  Carbon Emissions,  

Clean Energy Fuels
Date: 2020-02-14
Newport Beach, California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is reporting it delivered 143 million gallons of Redeem™ Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)in 2019.

In 2019, Clean Energy announced plans to exclusively offer zero-carbon1 Redeem at all of its fueling stations by 2025. At this pace Clean Energy would outdistance other alternative fuels, according to the release.

Redeem was the first commercially available RNG vehicle fuel, derived from capturing biogenic methane that is produced from the decomposition of organic waste from dairies, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants, according to the release.(Source: Clean Energy Fuels, PR, 12 Feb., 2020) Contact: Clean Energy Fuels, Raleigh Gerber, 949-437-1397, raleigh.gerber@cleanenergyfuels.com,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Energy Fuels ,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

BP
Date: 2020-02-14
In the UK, petroleum industry giant BP is reporting plans to become a net-zero carbon company by 2050 or sooner. To that end, the oil giant aims to:

Reach net-zero carbon in its oil and gas production on an absolute basis by 2050 or sooner.

Achieve a 50 pct cut in the carbon intensity of its products by 2050 or sooner

Install methane measurement at all BP major oil and gas processing sites by 2023 and reduce methane intensity of operations by 50 pct.

Increase the proportion of investment into non-oil and gas businesses over time.

More actively advocate for policies that support net-zero, including carbon pricing -- carbon tax.

Further incentivise the company's workforce to deliver aims and mobilise them to advocate for net- zero.

Set new expectations for relationships with trade associations.

Aim for recognition as a leader for transparency of reporting, including supporting the recommendations of the TCFD, and

Launch a new team to help countries, cities and large companies decarbonise.

BP's current worldwide greenhouse gas emissions from its operations stand at 55 million tpy of CO2 equivalent (MteCO2e), and the carbon in the oil and gas that it produces is equivalent currently to around 360 MteCO2e emissions a year -- both on an absolute basis. Taken together, delivery of these aims would equate to a reduction in emissions to net zero from what is currently around 415 MteCO2e a year, according to the BP release. (Source: BP, PR, Feb., 2020) Contact: BP press office, +44 (0) 20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com, www.bp.com

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

Dominion Energy
Date: 2020-02-12
In the Old Dominion State, Richmond-based Dominion Energy reports it is expanding its greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goals with a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its electric power generation and and gas infrastructure operations by 2050.

Dominion previously committed to cut methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 50 pct between 2010 and 2030 and carbon emissions from its power generating facilities by 80 pct between 2005 and 2050. To date, Dominion has cut carbon emissions approximately 50 pct since 2005 and reduced methane emissions by nearly 25 pct since 2010.

The utility has committed to invest in carbon-beneficial renewable natural gas (RNG) projects that will capture an amount of methane from U.S. farms at least equivalent to any remaining methane and carbon dioxide emissions from the company's natural gas operations, making Dominion's gas infrastructure area net zero 10 years before the overall company. (Source: Dominion Energy, PR, NewsWire, 11 Feb., 2020) Contact: Dominion Energy, Thomas F. Farrell, CEO, Pres., www.dominionenergy.com

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

Equinor
Date: 2020-02-12
Following up on our 10th Jan. report, Oslo-headquartered Norwegian oil and gas major Equinor -- fka Statoil -- reports the launch of a new climate roadmap aiming to ensure a competitive and resilient business model in the energy transition, fit for long term value creation and in line with the COP15 Paris Climate Agreement. In short, Equinor plans to:

Reduce the net carbon intensity, from initial production to final consumption, of the energy produced with at least 50 pct by 2050.

Cut absolute emissions from operated offshore fields and onshore plants in Norway by 40 pct by 2030, 70 pct by 2040 and towards near zero by 2050.

Slash CO2-emissions per barrel of oil and gas produced to below 8 kg by 2025 from operated fields;

Run carbon neutral operations globally by 2030;

Eliminate routine flaring before 2030;

Maintain methane emissions near zero;

Continue to apply an internal price on CO2-emission of at least $55 per tonne in all investment decisions;and

Continue support of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). (Source: Equinor, PR, 6 Feb., 2020) Contact: Equinor, Eldar Sætre, Pres., CEO, www.equinor.com

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

Climate Change,Colorado Institute of Arctic and Alpine Researc
Date: 2020-02-10
A study from the University of Colorado Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) in Boulder has found the possibility of abrupt permafrost thawing will likely occur in less than 20 pct of permafrost frozen land. The study found the evidence is mixed as to whether this not-so-permanent, slowly thawing permafrost has started to vent significant quantities of methane or CO2.

Global Permafrost covers an area almost equal to Canada and the United States combined, and holds about 1,500 billion tonnes or carbon -- twice as much as in the atmosphere and three times the amount humanity has emitted since the start of industrialization.

According to the UN's scientific advisory body for climate change, the IPCC, global permafrost areas show a decrease of 24 pct by 2100. The IPPC also notes that 70 pct of permafrost could gradually disappear if fossil fuel emissions continue growing over the next 50 years and release 60 to 100 billion tonnes of carbon by 2300. This is in addition to the 200 billion tonnes of carbon expected to be released in other regions, according to the study. (Source: Arctic and Alpine Research, Nature, AFP, Feb., 2020) Contact: INSTAAR, Merritt Turetsky, (303) 492-6387, (303) 492-3287 - fax, www.colorado.edu › innovate › institute-arctic-and-alpine-research

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

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Laboratory for Clean Combustion
Date: 2020-02-10
Israeli Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) Laboratory for Clean Combustion are touting a new gasification technology that uses the "unique chemical properties" of supercritical water -- heated to 374 degrees Celsius and pressurized to more than 219 atmospheres -- to actively decompose organic material into gases with a range of potential uses.

Using the BGU system, organic components are dissolved by supercritical water into hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Hydrogen and methane produced by dissolving organic materials can serve as fuel sources and feedstocks for the chemical industry, and hydrogen is particularly relevant to the automotive industry's efforts to replace gasoline. Accoding to the BGU researchers, the combination of unique properties of supercritical water and continued technological innovation will ultimately outperform existing waste-to-gas solutions.

The BGU researchers are reportedly in discussions with two companies to develop a pilot facility and commercialize their technology. (Source: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jerusalem Post, 9 Feb., 2020) Contact: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Dr. Efim Korytnyi, 972-8-6461111, in.bgu.ac.il

More Low-Carbon Energy News Waste-to-Energy,  Waste-to-Gas,  

Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association
Date: 2020-02-10
Following the indefinite suspension of fracking for shale gas in England, the London-based Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is urging the UK Government to look at anaerobic digestion -- biogas as an alternative to meeting its Net-Zero by 2050 emissions reduction goals.

ADBA notes that AD biogas 'ready-to-use' technology helps cut emissions in the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors of heat, transport and agriculture. Upgraded to biomethane, biogas can be injected into the grid with no changes needed to the existing gas infrastructure and used as a green transportation fuel, ADBA notes.

In the last decade, the UK AD sector grew 350 pct and is now employing over 3500 people. But it still needs policy incentives and investment to reach its full potential. In 2019, 650 AD plants across the UK produced 10.7TWh of energy. Over the next 10 years, ADBA anticipates that in addition to reducing emissions by 22.5m tonnes of CO2-equivalent every year -- about 5 pct of total UK greenhouse gases emissions -- it has the potential to meet nearly 20 pct of current domestic gas demand while providing 30,000 new green jobs in rural areas. The sector has also developed world-leading expertise which gives the UK a real opportunity to be at the heart of a growing global biogas industry, according to the release. (Source: UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association Contact: Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, Charlotte Morton, CEO, +44 (0) 20 3176 0503, +44 (0) 84 4292 0875 – fax., enquiries@adbioresources.org, www.adbioresources.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomethane,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Brightmark
Date: 2020-02-07
San Francisco-based waste energy developer Brightmark reports inking it a manure supply agreement with two South Dakota dairy companies -- Boadwine Farms, Inc. and Mooody County Dairy Limited Partnership -- to capture methane produced by nearly 12,000 dairy cows and heifers and convert it into roughly 217,000 MMBtu per year of renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Athena RNG project will include the construction of new anaerobic digesters on three Minnehaha County farms: Boadwine Farms, Pioneer Dairy, and Moody Dairy. The 11,710 dairy cows and heifers that live on these farms produce a total of 55.6 million gallons of manure each year.

Brightmark has similar projects in Washington, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and New York. (Source: Brightmark, PR, 5 Feb., 2020) Contact: Brightmark, Bob Powell, CEO, Kavitha Ramakrishnan, kavitha.ramakrishnan@brightmarkenergy.com, www.brightmarkenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  anaerobic digester,  

Greenlane Renewables ,Renewable Natural Gas Company
Date: 2020-02-07
Supply Contract with the Renewable Natural Gas Company, a Leader in Landfill Gas to RNG Projects In British Columbia, Burnaby-based biogas specialist Greenlane Renewables Inc. is reporting its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlane Biogas North America Ltd. and Ligonier, Pennsylvania based Renewable Natural Gas Company (RNGC) have inked a $7.0 million ($5.3 million US) contract under which Greenlane will supply three biogas upgrading systems to RNGC. The systems will be used in RNGC landfill gas projects in Virginia and Missouri.

Greenlane's "water-scrubbing" gas purification technology uses no chemicals or heat to clean impurities and CO2 from biogas to produce high-purity biomethane, suitable for injection into the natural gas grid and for direct use as vehicle fuel, according to the company website. (Source: Greenlane Renewables, PR, 5 Feb., 2020)Contact: Renewable Natural Gas Company LLC, Max Craig, Partner, (724) 787-9320, mcraig@rngas.com, www.rngas.com; Greenlane Biogas, Brad Douville, Pres., CEO, (604) 259-0343, brad.dauville@greenlanerenewables.com, www.greenlanebiogas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenlane Renewables ,  Biogas,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas Company ,  

Aemetis
Date: 2020-01-31
Cupertino, California-based advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals specialist Aemetis, Inc. is reporting its Aemetis Biogas LLC, subsidiary has received $4.1 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission's Low Carbon Fuel Production Program to construct a biogas upgrading facility to convert dairy biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Aemetis Central Dairy Digester and Pipeline Project is designed to capture methane gas currently emitted from dairy manure lagoons, pre-treat the biogas at each dairy to remove harmful components, then transport the methane via pipeline from each dairy to a biogas upgrading facility at the Aemetis Keyes ethanol plant. After the biogas is upgraded to utility pipeline quality RNG, the RNG will be utilized at the Keyes ethanol plant to replace carbon-intensive petroleum natural gas currently used to generate steam and power at the plant, or will be injected into PG&E's gas pipeline to be utilized as transportation fuel.

Aemetis expects to complete construction and begin operation of its first two dairy digesters, the onsite dairy biogas pre-treatment units, a 4-mile Aemetis pipeline and a new biogas boiler at the Keyes plant in Q2 2020.

Aemetis has received approximately $18 million in CEC grants to support its Aemetis Central Dairy Digester and Pipeline Project, and for carbon reduction energy efficiency upgrades to the Keyes Plant.(Source: Aemetis Inc., PR, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digester,  California Energy Commission,  Aemetis,  Biofuel,  

Montpelier City Council
Date: 2020-01-29
In the Green Mountain State capital city of Montpelier, City Council is reporting approval of $200,000 investment in support of the city's Waste Water Treatment Facility methane biogas project upgrade, which is expected to cost $5 million to complete. The project was initially funded by a $16.75 million bond issuance in November 2018.

The project would include upgrading digesters to process more organic waste and thus optimize the use of biogas to generate electricity and heat for the facility and minimize the flaring of unused digester methane gas -- a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. (Source: Montpelier City Council, Times Argus, 27 Jan., 2020) Contact: Montpelier City Council, www.montpelier-vt.org/258/City-Council-Mayor

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Methane,  

Clean Energy Fuels
Date: 2020-01-29
Newport Beach, California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is reporting it delivered 143 million gallons of Redeem™ Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)in 2019.

Redeem was the first commercially available RNG vehicle fuel, derived from capturing biogenic methane that is produced from the decomposition of organic waste from dairies, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants, according to the release.

In 2019, Clean Energy unveiled ambitious goals to exclusively offer zero-carbon1 Redeem at all of its fueling stations by 2025. At this pace Clean Energy would outdistance other alternative fuels, including electric vehicles, which are not expected to hit that mark until 2045. according to the release. (Source: Clean Energy Fuels, PR, Jan., 2020) Contact: Clean Energy Fuels, Raleigh Gerber, 949-437-1397, raleigh.gerber@cleanenergyfuels.com, www.cleanenergyfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Energy Fuels ,  RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  

US Gain
Date: 2020-01-24
Following up on our 3 Dec. 2019 coverage, Appleton, Wisconsin-headquartered US Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG), is reporting the purchase of another anaerobic digester for the Deer Run Dairy, LLC in Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

U.S. Gain is currently coordinating the installation of biogas clean-up equipment at Deer Run Dairy, LLC to strip the impurities from the biogas which will be injected into the natural gas pipeline and distributed throughout their GAIN Clean Fuel® network, private natural gas fueling stations and other non-transportation outlets.

US Gain invests in and manages renewable natural gas development projects at dairies, landfills and wastewater treatment plants; generating, trading and monetizing clean fuel credits; designing, building and operating natural gas fueling stations -- both private and a public GAIN Clean Fuel® network. (Source: US Grain, CSR News, 23 Jan., 2020) Contact: US Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, 920.381.2190, www.usgain.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Gain,  Biofuel,  RNG,  Methane,  anaerobic digester ,  

Verbio
Date: 2020-01-24
Zorbig/Leipzig based biodiesel producer Verbio reports that based on the current level of sales and raw material prices as well as the sales contracts already concluded, it expects to achieve an EBITDA of approximately €110 million in the financial year 2019/2020 and to increase net cash by the end of the financial year to approximately €40 million. In its most recent forecast the company had expected EBITDA of approximately €65 million and a low balance of net debt by the end of the financial year 2019/2020.

Verbio produces roughly 470,000 tpy of biodiesel as well as ethanol and biomethane, according to the company website. (Source: Verbio, Website, 22 Jan., 2020) Contact: Verbio, +49 (0) 3493 747-40, www.verbio.de/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Verbio,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  

Landfill Gas
Date: 2020-01-20
In the Bluegrass State, Daviess Fiscal Court -- the Daviess county administration agency -- reports it is in negotiations with respondents to its recent RFP for methane gas capture and power production at the Daviess County Landfill.

Currently, the 20 gas wells underneath the landfill produce almost 3.9 million gpd of methane which could be significantly increased with the addition of more wells, the county notes.

In 2009, the county negotiated a 20-year contract with E.ON U.S., the corporation that operated Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric Co, in the hopes that they could generate $2 million over the course of the contract. Ultimately, E.ON U.S. was purchased by PPL Corp., and due to a then low market the deal fell through. (Source: Daviess Fiscal Court, Messenger-Inquirier, 20 Jan., 2020) Contact: Daviess Fiscal Court, Messenger-Inquirier, 270-685-8424, www.daviessky.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas,  Methane,  

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,Range Resources
Date: 2020-01-17
In Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has laid down the law to Fort Worth-headquartered Range Resources ordering it to "once and for all" fix a faulty and leaking cement casing at the Harman Lewis Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Lycoming County, in north-central Pennsylvania.

The DEP claims the well has been leaking methane for the past 9 years -- since 2011. Range Resources disagrees with order and contends the methane contamination is from natural ground sources. The DEP contends the well's cement casing is defective, despite attempts in 2015 and 2016 to repair it, and has given Range Resources two months to submit a plan to reduce the methane gas migration and, after the department approves the plan, four months to submit a plan to successfully plug the well and a bore hole next to it. Range has 30 days to appeal the order to the Environmental Hearing Board, and probably will.

Editor's note: While carbon dioxide is typically painted as the bad boy of greenhouse gases, methane is reported to be roughly 30 times more potent as a heat-trapping gas. As temperatures rise, the relative increase of methane emissions will outpace that of carbon dioxide from these sources. (Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, TrbLive, Ap, 13 Jan., 2020)Contact: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, www.dep.pa.gov; Range Resources, www.rangeresources.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ,  Methane,  Range Resources,  

Duke Energy,Smithfield Foods, OpyimaBio
Date: 2020-01-15
In the Old Dominion State, Smithfield Foods Inc., in partnership with Duke Energy and OptimaBio LLC, reports it is now producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from the wastewater treatment system at its Tar Heel, N.C. pork processing facility.

The $14 million project produces approximately 140,000 dekatherms of RNG per year. The company also has "wastewater-to-energy" projects at its plants in Milan, Missouri; Grayson, Kentucky; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Source: Smithfield Foods,, 13 Jan., 2020) Contact: Smithfield Foods, Ken Sullivan, Pres, CEO, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com; Duke Energy North Carolina, Stephen De May, Pres., www.duke-energy.com; OptimaBio, LLC, Mark Maloney, CEO, www.pig.energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Methane,  OptmaBio,  Smithfield Foods,  Duke Energy,  RNG,  Manure-to-Fuel,  

Calgren Dairy Fuels ,SoCalGas
Date: 2020-01-15
In the Golden State, Calgren Dairy Fuels and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is reporting four additional Central Valley dairies are now supplying methane produced from cow manure to Calgren's biogas operation in Pixley, where it is processed into renewable natural gas (RNG) and injected into SoCalGas' system.

The Calgren facility now collects methane from more than 66 000 cows at 10 area dairy farms. The additional dairies are projected to nearly double the Pixley facility's RNG production capacity. (Source: Calgren Dairy Fuels, Energy Global, 14 Jan., 2020) Contact: Calgren Renewable Fuels, Walt Dwelle, Principal Owner , Lyle Schlyer, Pres., (559) 757-3850, lschyler@calgren.com, www.calgren.com; Southern California Gas Company, Sharon Tomkins, VP, www.socalgas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Calgren Dairy Fuels ,  SoCalGas,  Biogas,  RNG,  

Brazilian Development Bank
Date: 2020-01-15
In Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) reports it will loan $23.4 million to Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer Cocal Energia.

The loan funding will support the construction and installation of a biomethane and electricity generating plant at Cocal's Narandiba municipality unit in Sao Paulo state. The facility will use sugarcane straw, filter cake and other sugar and ethanol wastes to to produce 33 million cubic mpy of biogas. (Source: BNDES, Renewables, 12 Jan., 2019) (Contact: Cocal Energia, 18 3361-8888, www.cocal.com.br; BNDES, +55 21 2052-7447 / 3747-7447, www.bndes.gov.br

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Methane,  Biomethane,  Brazilian Development Bank,  Biogas,  Brazil Biomethane,  BNDES,  

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Date: 2020-01-13
In the UAE, the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reports it plans to lower its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 25 pct by 2030. The company, which produced about 3 million bpd of oil and 10.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, is currently among the five lowest greenhouse gas emitters in the oil and gas industry and has one of the lowest methane intensities in the world of 0.01 per cent, according to a release.

Additionally, ADNOC plans to scale up its carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) programme, from 800,000 tpy of captured CO2 to 5 million tpy by 2030. (Source: ADNOC, N Business, 13 Jan., 2020) Contact: ADNOC, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, +971 2 7070000. +971 2 6023389 - fax, www.adnoc.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Abu Dhabi National Oil Company,  

Primary Energy,Fortistar,ArcelorMittal
Date: 2020-01-13
White Plains, New York-based Fortistar and its partners are reporting an agreement to sell 50 pct of the shares of Primary Energy to SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust (SEEIT).

Primary Energy Recycling has a 298 MW portfolio of waste heat-to-power (WHP) and combined heat and power (CHP) plants located at two of the most efficient steel mills in North America belonging to ArcelorMittal S.A. and United States Steel Corporation, selling discounted electrical and thermal energy to the mills under long-term stable contractual arrangements.

The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2020 with Fortistar continuing to manage the company.

Fortistar's portfolio of associated companies includes Generational Power, TruStar Energy, Primary Energy Recycling, Fortistar Methane Group, Fortistar Biomass Group, Carbonfree Chemicals, Golden Renewable Energy and ClockIN.

SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc is the first London Stock Exchange-listed company of its kind to invest exclusively in the energy efficiency sector. (Source: Fortistar, PR, Jan., 2020) Contact: SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc, www.sdcleeit.com; Primary Energy, Mo Klefeker, CEO, 630-371-0505, www.primaryenergy.com Forttistar, Mark Comora, CEO, (914) 421-4937, MComora@fortistar.com, www.fortistar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Primary Energy,  ArcelorMittal,  Fortistar,  Energy Efficiency,  

Equinor
Date: 2020-01-10
Oslo-headquartered Norwegian oil and gas major Equinor -- fka Statoil -- reports it aims reduce the absolute greenhouse gas emissions from its operated offshore fields and onshore plants in Norway by 40 pct by 2030, increasing to 70 pct by 2040 and to near zero by 2050, using 2005 as a baseline.

The GHG reduction goal will cover all of the company's Norwegian offshore fields and onshore plants, including both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of CO2 and methane, levels of which are very low at the Norwegian continental shelf.

The reductions will be achieved through large scale industrial measures, including energy efficiency, digitalization and the launch of several electrification projects at key fields and plants, including the Troll and Oseberg offshore fields and the Hammerfest LNG plant, at an estimated cost NOK 50 billion ($5,630,500,000 US) or more. (Source: Equnior, Smart Energy Jan., 2020) Contact: Equinor, Eldar Saetre, CEO, Pal Eitrheim, VP New Energy Solutions, www.equinor.com

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

Duke Energy,Smithfield Foods, OpyimaBio
Date: 2020-01-10
Smithfield Foods, OptimaBio LLC and Duke Energy North Carolina are reporting biofuel production at their $14 million hog waste-to-biofuel project at Smithfield's Tar Heel pork processing plant in North Carolina is now underway. The project can produce up to 140,000 dekatherms per year of renewable natural gas (RNG).

The Tar Heel project utilizes a gas upgrading and injection system operated by OptimaBio, LLC, a bioenergy project developer, which leverages the facility's 3 million gpd wastewater treatment system to collect and clean biogas through an existing on-site anaerobic digester and convert it into RNG.

Smithfield operates similar hog wastewater-to-energy projects at its Milan, Mo.; Grayson, Ky.; and Sioux Falls, S.D. facilities, which are used to power their modified steam boilers. (Source: Duke Energy, Smithfield Foods, Power Eng., Jan., 2020) Contact: Smithfield Foods, Ken Sullivan, Pres, CEO, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com; Duke Energy North Carolina, Stephen De May, Pres., www.duke-energy.com; OptimaBio, LLC, Mark Maloney, CEO, www.pig.energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Methane,  OptmaBio,  Smithfield Foods,  Duke Energy,  RNG,  Manure-to-Fuel,  

Cenovus
Date: 2020-01-10
On the Canadian prairies, oil-soaked Alberta-based integrated oil and gas company Cenovus Energy has unveiled plans to reduce per-barrel greenhouse gas emissions by 30 pct by the end of 2030 with the end goal of net -zero emissions by 2050.

To that end, the company will reclaim 1,500 decommissioned well sites, complete $40 million ($30.65 million US) of caribou habitat restoration work by 2030, and institute a comprehensive climate and greenhouse gas emissions strategy to help it reach targets. The strategy will also advance its methane emission reduction initiatives that are already underway at its Deep Basin operations. (Source: Cenovus, KFGP-FM, Jan., 2020) Contact: Cenovus, (403) 766-2000, (403) 766-7600 - fax, questions&comments@cenovus.com, www.cenovus.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cenovus,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  CO2,  

FuelCell Energy
Date: 2020-01-06
Danbury, Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy Inc. is reporting its 2.3-MW biogas project in the city of Tulare, California has begun commercial operation at the city's wastewater treatment facility.

The newly operational plant uses FuelCell Energy's SureSource Treatments system -- a cleanup technology created by FuelCell Energy for on-site biogas treatment. (Source: FuelCell Energy, PR, 27 Dec., 2019) Contact: FuelCell Energy, Jason Few, CEO, 203-825-6000, info@fce.com, www.fuelcellenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Methane,  FuelCell Energy,  

Greenlane Renewables,SoCalGas
Date: 2020-01-03
Burnaby, B.C.-based Greenlane Renewables Inc is reporting its wholly owned subsidiary, Greenlane Biogas North America Ltd. has secured a new $8.3 million (Cdn) ($6.3 million) biogas upgrading contract with an unidentified California customer. Engineering work will begin immediately on the California-based landfill project. Order fulfillment will begin immediately upon completion of permitting and approval of submittals by the customer, expected by early to mid 2020, with delivery expected to occur within approximately six months of commencement.

The facility is expected to process 1,600 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas to produce approximately 97 pct pure biomethane, or approximately 380,000 gigajoules (GJ) per year renewable natural gas (RNG) for direct injection into the local gas distribution network owned and operated by SoCalGas. In addition, the residual off-gas, a byproduct of the biogas upgrading process, will be blended with natural gas to generate power for on-site facilities and processes. (Source: Greenlane Renewables Inc. PR, 31 Dec., 2019) Contact: Greenlane Biogas, Brad Douville, Pres., CEO, (604) 259-0343, brad.dauville@greenlanerenewables.com, www.greenlanebiogas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Renewable Natural Gas,  Greenlane Renewables,  Biogas,  Methane,  SoCalGas,  

Eversource
Date: 2019-12-13
New England's largest investor-owned utility, Eversource Energy reports it plans to reduce carbon emission and become carbon-neutral across all departments and operations by 2030.

To that end, Eversource will reduceenergy use by improving the efficiency of its 69 facilities and reducing fleet emissions of its 5,200 vehicles, continue to enhance the electric transmission and distribution system to reduce line losses, reduce sulfur hexafluoride (a potent ghg) in gas-insulated electric switchgear, and replace remaining bare steel and cast-iron natural-gas distribution main lines to improve safety and help prevent methane leaks.

Eversource previously reduced its carbon emissions through a 2018 divestiture of all its remaining fossil-generation facilities. (Source: Eversource: BusinessWest, 11 Dec., 2019) Contact: Eversource, Jim Judge, CEO, Lee Olivier, EVP of Strategy and Business, www.eversource.com

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

Lebanon New Hampshire
Date: 2019-12-09
In New Hampshire, the West Lebanon City Council is expected to vote later this month whether to bond an additional $1.5 million needed to complete a $4.4 million landfill gas methane-to-energy project at the Lebanon landfill. If approved, the project could begin construction in May for completion by the end of 2020.

The city proposes to use micro-turbine generators to turn methane emitted from the landfill into electricity, most of which would be used to power municipal buildings with the balance sold back into Liberty Utilities' system.

The project is expected to generate roughly $130,000 in revenue annually, or about $5 million over its 20-year lifespan. (Source: City of West Lebanon, Valley News, 8 Dec., 2019) Contact: City of West Lebanon, Shaun Mulholland, City Manager, 603-448-4220, shaun.mulholland@lebanonnh.gov, www.lebanonnh.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Landfillgas,  Landfillgas-to-Energy,  

COP25
Date: 2019-12-04
"China is already the world's carbon-emitting leader, emitting nearly twice the levels of America in second place, and it is building up its lead. And in 2019, China's only significant climate change accomplishment was its slaughter of 100 million methane-producing pigs. But of course, that wasn't about climate change; it was about restraining a swine flu outbreak.

"And things are set to get worse as China opens dozens of new coal-fired power plants. China's carbon output is heading even higher in 2020, even as America's is projected to decline. This speaks to something: Chinese President Xi Jinping is lying when he says he takes climate change seriously. His dirty coal plants and opposition to European carbon tariffs, evidence Xi's global economic and political ambitions come first.

"The COP25 community doesn't seem to care. Instead, this week's summit has opened with a range of thinly veiled jabs at the United States. This, even though America is leading the world in reducing its carbon emissions.

"Why the choice to attack America and ignore China? Because most nations prefer pomp to practicality on this issue. They know they can attack America but keep trading with America. But it's not so simple when it comes to China. These nations know that China views trade through the distinct prism of Xi's mercantilist worldview. And led by President Emmanuel Macron of France, the European Union is keen to keep Beijing happy in order to maintain Chinese investment and trade deals. The contrast here between European leaders' rhetoric and activists' demands is striking.

"But it doesn't change the exigent truth. Until COP25 puts China front and center in its carbon reduction sights, these summits will continue to produce nothing but hot air." (Source: Washington Post, 3 Dec., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News COP25,  Climate Change,  

Auistralia,Climate Change
Date: 2019-12-02
According to the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy, year to June, Australia emitted 532 million tons of CO2 and equivalent greenhouse gases (Mt CO2 -e), a .01 pct drop from the previous 12-month period.

Agricultural emissions exerted the strongest downward pressure, falling 5.9 pct on the previous year to 67.4 Mt CO2-e, driven by decimated livestock numbers as a result of both drought and this year's floods in northern Queensland. Electric power generation contributed 179.9 Mt CO2 -e, down 1.2 pct for the year and 1.8 pect for the quarter, although it remained by far the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Department credited increased use of renewable energy and decreases in coal and natural gas power generation for falling emissions levels. Transport sector emissions also fell by 0.5 pct while emissions in all other sectors increased. Fugitive emissions rose 4.4 pct as a result of escaped methane during the natural gas extraction process. Emissions from fossil fuels burned directly by industry increased 3.6 pct.

Australia's Paris Climate Accord targeted of 26 to 28 pct below 2005 levels by 2030. Currently, Australia's emissions are 12.5 per cent below 2005 levels. (Source: Australian Department of the Environment and EnergyFinancial Review, 29 Nov., 2019) Contact: Australian Department of the Environment and Energy, 1800 057 590, www.environment.gov.au

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

Global Atmosphere Watch
Date: 2019-12-02
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin is reporting globally averaged concentrations of CO2 reached 407.8 parts per million (PPM) in 2018, up from 405.5 ppm in 2017. Methane and nitrous oxide also surged by higher amounts than during the past decade.

The increase in CO2 from 2017 to 2018 was close to that observed from 2016 to 2017 and just above the average over the last decade. Global levels of CO2 crossed the symbolic and significant 400 ppm benchmark in 2015.

Additionally, since 1990, there has been a 43 pct increase in total radiative forcing -- the warming effect on the climate -- by long-lived greenhouse gases. CO2 accounts for about 80 pct of this, according to figures from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Annual Greenhouse Gas Index. (Source: WMO, Nov., 2019) Contact: WMO, Clare Nullis, Media,, +41 79 709 13 97, cnullis@wmo.int, www.wmo.int; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.noaa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ,  Global Atmosphere Watch,  

Stratford Ontario
Date: 2019-12-02
In Ontario, the City of Stratford (pop. 31,500) reports it is considering plans to turn landfill organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) at a city water plant in a residential area.

The project is reportedly being vigorously opposed by city residents due primarily to its residential area location. The city says it is aiming to utilize facilities that are already in place. If approved and constructed, the proposed project would be completed in about a year. (Source: City of Stratford, DDS, 30 Nov., 2019) Contact: City of Startford, 519-271-0250 ext. 315,/www.stratfordcanada.ca › dobusiness › waterandsewage

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  RNG,  Biogas,  

Date: 2019-11-29
Atmospheric levels of climate-changing greenhouse gases hit a record high in 2018, “with no sign of a slowdown, let alone a decline,” the World Meteorological Organization said. In a report released Monday, the WMO said despite international pledges made under the Paris Agreement, the levels of carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide all surged by higher amounts in 2018 than average for the past decade. The global average of carbon dioxide concentration reached 407.8 parts per million in 2018, up from 405.5 parts per million in 2017, the U.N. agency said. The concentration of methane was the highest recorded since 1998 while the levels of nitrous oxide, which is responsible for eroding the ozone layer was the highest ever recorded. "This continuing long-term trend means that future generations will be confronted with increasingly severe impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, more extreme weather, water stress, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems," according to a summary of the report. The report was released ahead of next month’s global climate summit in Madrid. “It is worth recalling that the last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of carbon dioxide was 3-5 million years ago," WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said. At the time, the Earth's temperature was as much as 5 degrees warmer and sea levels were as much as 65 feet higher than they are now, he said. (Source: WMO, VOA News 26 Nov., 2019)

World Meteorological Organization
Date: 2019-11-27
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports world wide CO2 and other greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere are at a record high and still rising faster than ever with no sign of slowing down.

In a report released Monday, the WMO said despite international pledges made under the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 15), the levels of carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide all surged by higher amounts in 2018 than average for the past decade. The global average of carbon dioxide concentration reached 407.8 parts per million in 2018, up from 405.5 parts per million in 2017, the U.N. agency said. The concentration of methane was the highest recorded since 1998 while the levels of nitrous oxide, which is responsible for eroding the ozone layer was the highest ever recorded. The report was released ahead of next month's global climate summit in Madrid.

This follows the overwhelming scientific consensus delivered earlier this month that the Earth is indeed facing a climate emergency. Over 11,000 scientists world wide, including 409 from Canada, signed a letter pleading for world leaders to take the crisis seriously, for the wealthy to change their habits and for those in denial to accept that global warming is human driven.

Specific to Canada, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has committed Canada to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and to reduce CO2 levels by 30 pct by 2030. In December 2018, Climate Change Canada projected Canada's total emissions by 2030 are only on track to be 19 pct below 2005 levels. (Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada,Various Media, Nov., 2019) Contact: Environment and Climate Change Canada, (800) 668-6767, www.canada.ca › environment-climate-change; World Meteorological Organization, www.public.wmo.int/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Meteorological Organization,  Climate Change,  ,  

Methane,Environment and Climate Change Canada
Date: 2019-11-25
As previously reported, Environment and Climate Change Canada has announced proposed regulations to cut methane emissions from drilling and processing by 20 megatonnes a year.

Under the new regulations, affected companies would be required to regularly check and repair leaks from their equipment, use cleaner technologies to minimize emissions, monitor emissions at their property lines and report the results to the Canadian government.

The regulations are part of the Pan-Canada Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change to cut methane by 40 to 45 pct by 2025.

The Canadian oil and gas sector produces about 44 pct of the country's escaping methane which represents about 15 pct of Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions. The changes are expected to cost the industry an estimated $3.3 billion over the next 20 years. (Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, CBC, Various Media, Nov. 2019) Contact: Environment and Climate Change Canada,(800) 668-6767, www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane Emissions,  GHG,  Climate Change,  Environment and Climate Change Canada,  

Energy Power Partners
Date: 2019-11-25
In the Keystone State, the borough of Chambersburg reports it has extended its contract with Progressive Waste's Blue Ridge Landfill Energy Power Partners for landfill gas generated electricity at a "very competitive" rate.

Chambersburg's original agreement was with Progressive Waste's Blue Ridge Landfill which is now owned by Energy Power Partners (EPP). Under the new arrangement with EPP, the borough expects to realize a $7.8 million electric power savings over the next 12 plus years. Roughly 15 pct of all the electricity in Chambersburg is sourced from a renewable green energy, according to the release. (Source: Borough of Chambersburg, Herald-Mail, 25 Nov., 2019) Contact: Borough of Chambersburg, Jeffrey Stonehill,Borough Manager, Utilities Dir., 717-251-2437, www.borough.chambersburg.pa.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas,  Methane,  

Methae, EPA
Date: 2019-11-25
Reporting from Boston, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Friday last joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in calling on the Trump administration EPA to "withdraw its illegal attempt to gut Obama era regulations that limit methane emissions and other harmful pollutants from new, reconstructed and modified sources in the oil and natural gas sector" -- the largest industrial source of environmentally damaging methane emissions.

The coalition contends the EPA's unlawful proposal to rescind the Obama era methane regulation will threaten public health and the environment by increasing extremely harmful methane emissions, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, formaldehyde and others.

The Obama era 2015 rule is projected to reduce 300,000 tons of methane, 150,000 tons of VOCs, and 1,900 tons of hazardous air pollutants in 2020 alone. The rule will protect the environment and save businesses money with a net benefit of $35 million in 2020 and $170 million in 2025. On the other hand, the EPA's estimates show their planned proposal will increase methane emissions and VOCs by hundreds of thousands of tons through 2025!

Joining AG Healey are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia, as well as the City of Chicago, the City and County of Denver, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (Source: Office of Mass. AG, STL News, 23 Nov., 2019) Contact: Office of Mass. AG, (617) 727-2200, www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-attorney-general-maura-healey

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Methane Emissions,  EPA Methane Emissions Rollback,  

Mew Mexico Climate Change
Date: 2019-11-22
Since Governor Lujan Grisham (D) signed Executive Order 2019-003, bringing New Mexico to the forefront of states taking ambitious climate action, we have made rapid progress towards our goals. New Mexico joined the U.S. Climate Alliance and committed to a statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of at least 45 pct by 2030, as compared to 2005 levels. Legislation signed into law by the Governor during the 2019 legislative session demonstrates the seriousness and speed of our work: New Mexico's landmark Energy Transition Act contains one of the most ambitious renewable energy and zero-carbon electricity standards in the United States and establishes worker and community transition funds. New Mexico's electric utility efficiency standards are stronger than ever. The Climate Change Task Force, which spans all state agencies, has developed an initial suite of ambitious policies to accelerate the state's transition into a clean energy future.

These policies, which include a methane emission reduction regulatory framework, an update to the state's building codes, and electricity transmission corridors to transport renewable electricity resources to market -- among many others -- are already beginning to come to fruition. This is only the beginning.

Download the New Mexico Climate Strategy 2019 Report HERE. (Source: Arizona Climate Action, Las Cruces Sun News, Nov., 2019 Contact: Arizona Climate Action, www.climateaction.state.nm.us

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