SaskPower
Date: 2020-02-03
On the Canadian prairies, the Saskatoon-based utility SaskPower reports it preparing to launch a new Energy Assistance Pilot Program in the province's largest cities, Regina and Saskatoon.

The program is aimed at assisting low income customers cut home energy costs by as much as $230 per year with affordable home energy-efficient upgrades. The program also includes the installation of free smart thermostats; energy-saving products such as LED light bulbs, smart power strips and high-efficiency bathroom fixtures; personal home walk-through energy assessments and, recommendations on cutting energy consumption. (Source: SaskPower, Public Release, Feb., 2020) Contact: SaskPower, Shawn Schmidt, VP Distribution and Customer Services, (306) 566-2121, www.saskpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SaskPower,  Energy Efficiency,  

NV Energy
Date: 2020-02-03
In the wake of climate change, NV Energy reports it is working with state agencies and emergency response organizations to formulate a Natural Disaster Protection Plan on how to mitigate and respond to wildfires, severe storms and climate change related disasters.

NV Energy's fire mitigation specialist Mark Regan noted the plan is about minimizing risks and making sure the utility's infrastructure can withstand and recover from natural disasters. Regan added similar plans are becoming more commonplace for utilities across the country as the effects of climate change intensify.

According to the EPA, Nevada has warmed by roughly 2 degrees F in the last 100 years. (Source: NV Energy, Las Vegas Review Journal, 1 Feb., 2020) Contact: NV Energy, Doug Cannon, Pres., CEO, Kristen Saibini, Corp. Communications, 775-834-3891, ksaibini@nvenergy.com, www.nvenergy.com

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

National Biodiesel Board
Date: 2020-02-03
In response to the USDA's request for information on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) noted: "Investments would be best served on opportunities that would afford the greatest additional volumes of biodiesel to enter the marketplace. The greatest barriers to biodiesel distribution are at the terminal and pipeline terminal level, as well as railways to reach distribution centers."

NBB VP of Federal Affairs, Kurt Kovarik noted NBB is "grateful to the USDA for following through on a pledge to support infrastructure projects that facilitate higher biofuel blends. "American consumers are increasingly demanding access to clean, low-carbon, advanced biofuels, like biodiesel. We look forward to working with the USDA to strengthen the market for higher blends of biodiesel," Kovarik added. (Spource, NBB, NAFB, 1 Feb., 2020) Contact: NBB, Kaleb Little, Dir. Communications, Kurt Kovarik, VP Federal Affairs, (800) 841-5849, www.biodiesel.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Biodiesel Board,  

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Date: 2020-02-03
In its Getting to Neutral: Options for Negative Carbon Emissions in California report, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) notes the identification of a suite of technologies -- natural and working lands; carbon capture from biomass conversion to fuels; and direct air capture -- that could help California become carbon-neutral -- and ultimately carbon-negative -- by 2045 by removing roughly 125 million tpy of CO2 from the atmosphere. according to the report.

The report was funded by the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF) with grant support from the ClimateWorks Foundation LLNL

Download the Getting to Neutral: Options for Negative Carbon Emissions in California report HERE.(Source: LLNL, Jan., 2020) Contact: LLNL,www.llnl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,  Carbon Emissions,  Negative Carbon Emissions,  

Australia Climate Change
Date: 2020-02-03
"You (Australia) are the keepers of an extraordinary section of the surface of this planet, including the Barrier Reef, and what you say, what you do, really, really matters. And then you suddenly say: 'No it doesn't matter ... it doesn't matter how much coal we burn ... we don't give a damn what it does to the rest of the world." -- Sir David Attenborough, an English broadcaster and natural historian commenting on Australia's attitude to addressing climate change. (Source: Business Insider Australia, Sept., 2019) Contact: Sir David Attenborouhj, www.imdb.com/name/nm0041003

More Low-Carbon Energy News Australia Climate Change news,  

UPM
Date: 2020-01-31
Helsinki-headquartered UPM reports it will invest €550 million in a biorefinery -- 100 pct wood-based biochemicals at Leuna, Germany. The 220,000 tpy biorefinery will convert locally-sourced solid wood biomass into next generation biochemicals: bio-monoethylene glycol (BioMEG) and lignin-based renewable functional fillers, bio-monopropylene glycol (BioMPG) and industrial sugars. The plant is expected to come online by the end of 2022. (Source: UOM, PR, Global NewsWire, Jan., 2020) Contact: UPM Biochemicals, Juuso Konttinen, Vice President, +358 40 5317405, juuso.konttinen@upm.com, www.upm.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM,  Biofuel,  

Ministry of UAE Climate Change and Environment
Date: 2020-01-31
In the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), in collaboration with HSBC Bank Middle East, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, and others is reporting the launch of the Target Climate Initiative to help businesses reduce carbon emissions, boost economic diversification and become active contributors to climate action.

The Initiative calls for the government, businesses, and not-for-profit sectors, to work together in line with the UAE's goal of developing a low-carbon "green" economy green economy, according to the state-run news agency Wam. (Source: Wam, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Construction Week, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, www.moccae.gov.ae

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

Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
Date: 2020-01-31
In the Old Dominion State, under the proposed House Bill 754 presently before the General Assembly, the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund would provide up to $35 million annually for solar, wind and geothermal projects on brownfields and former coal sites.

As proposed, the program would award grants on a competitive basis in the amounts of $500 per kilowatt of nameplate capacity from renewable energy sources on land that was previously mined for coal and $100 per kilowatt of nameplate capacity from renewable energy sources on brownfields. Grants would not be allowed to exceed $10 million for a single coal mine project and $5 million for a brownfield project not on previously mined land, according to the bill. Total allocations from the program would be capped at $35 million in a given year.

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy would administer the program and work with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to develop criteria for grant awards. (Source: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Bristol Herald Courier, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, 276-523-8100, www.dmme.virginia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy Funding,  

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Date: 2020-01-31
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released the results of a 66-city study conducted to understand steps being taken by global cities to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.

The study leveraged data from the 100 Resilient Cities program and found that while many cities are taking some steps to increase energy efficiency and renewable power, only 20 pct include energy efficiency initiatives in their resilience plans. Study recommendations to boost energy efficiency and renewables include:

Encourage the use of EVs and other sustainable modes of transportation.

Establish municipal building and fleet efficiency policies, create microgrids and encourage the electrification of buildings.

Cities can aim to generate 100 pct of their energy from local wind energy generation, solar-plus-storage systems, and waste-to-energy facilities.

Study information is HERE. (Source: ACEEE, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, www.aceee.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,  

Orsted
Date: 2020-01-31
Danish energy giant Orsted reports it has inked a six-year lease agreement with the Port of Virginia a portion of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal for offshore wind staging materials and equipment for the Coastal Virginia offshore wind project it is developing with Dominion Energy.

Portsmouth Marine Terminal is one of the Port of Virginia's two multi-use terminals in the Norfolk Harbor. (Source: Orsted, Offshore Eng., 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: Orsted, Thomas Brostrom, Pres., CEO, Orsted North America, Offshore, Daniel Lerup, Inv. Relations, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orsted,  Offshore Wind,  

Renewable Energy
Date: 2020-01-31
In the Big Apple, the City Council Committee on Environmental Protection is considering the Renewable Rikers Act that calls for a wastewater treatment, battery storage facilities and solar panels on the 413-acre island after the closing of the notorious jail complex. (Source: New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection, NY Daily News, 29 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  

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,  

Enlight Renewable Energy
Date: 2020-01-31
Tel Aviv-based Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. is reporting it will acquire the rights to a 100-MW wind power project under development in the eastern European country of Georgia at a cost of €122.5 million ($135 million).

Enlight Renewable Energy stands at the forefront of the green energy revolution. A leader in its field, the company is publically traded on TASE (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange). Since its foundation in 2008, Enlight has endeavored to create value through its energy and infrastructure initiatives. The company specializes in the initiation, development, financing, construction, management, and operation of projects involving the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources, according to the company website. (Source: Enlight Renewable Energy, Renewable, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: Enlight Renewable Energy, Gilad Yavetz, CEO, +972 3 9008700, www.enlightenergy.co.il

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enlight Renewable Energy,  

Green Alliance
Date: 2020-01-31
"In June 2019, the UK became the world's first major economy to legislate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. This amended the previous target of 80 pct reduction on 1990 levels, which was set out in the Climate Change Act of 2008. Both were passed by large cross party majorities.

"But government policy is failing to match these world leading ambitions. In fact, the House of Lords appended a 'regret motion' to the net-zero legislation, expressing concern that the government had provided 'little detail on how the emissions target will be met'.

"Even before the new target was adopted, the UK was not on course to hit its lower target. That is in spite of proposals in The clean growth strategy, which was meant to show how the UK government would meet its legally binding fourth and fifth carbon budgets. In the light of the net zero commitment, this strategy is due to be reviewed and bold new policies have been promised.

"Most approaches to reduce emissions have relied on decarbonising energy supply, phasing out coal and drastically reducing the price of renewable energy. However, this ignores the potential contribution and benefits of the other side of the energy equation -- demand reduction, improved energy efficiency and flex energy demand.

"Even without much government intervention, demand reduction has a proven and profitable track record. Energy efficiency has been directly responsible for 25 pct of the UK's economic growth since 1971, And, globally, 90 pct of the decoupling of emissions and economic growth has come from reducing the energy intensity of the economy, rather than reducing the carbon intensity of energy generation."

Download the Balancing the Energy Equation -- Three Steps to Cutting UK Demand Report HERE ], (Source: Green Alliance, Jan., 2020) Contact: Green Alliance, +44 020 7233 7433, ga@green-alliance.org.uk, www.green-alliance.org.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK Green Alliance,  Net-Zero Carbon,  

Ernst & Young
Date: 2020-01-31
Reporting from London, Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY) has announced plans to be carbon neutral by the year end.

To that end, EY will focus on reducing travel emissions, sustainable procurement practices and purchasing more renewable energy to power EY offices. It will also purchase carbon credits to offset the EY carbon footprint and invest in projects that reduce carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere, for example reforestation projects. The company is also expanding its global sustainability strategy which will focus on helping clients innovate and use technology to reduce their own carbon emissions, while driving sustainable economic growth. To date the company has:

Designed its environmental strategy in alignment with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) environmental principles, including measurement and reporting of the EY carbon footprint over the past 10 years.

Issued a global environmental statement in financial year (FY) 18, setting the expectation that the global EY network bears a collective responsibility to minimize its environmental impact.

Between FY17--FY19, EY decreased office energy emissions by over 11 pct while continuing to grow its business, resulting in a 25 pct reduction in energy emissions per full-time employee (FTE)

Over the past 15 years, its market-leading EY Climate Change and Sustainability Practice has supported EY clients' decarbonization and sustainability journeys by helping them implement a range of solutions crossing sustainability, supply chains and reporting.

Played a leading role in the World Economic Forum's International Business Council and developed a core set of common metrics and disclosures on non-financial factors to their investors and other stakeholders.

Introduced a global supplier code of conduct and procurement environmental criteria to improve the sustainability of products and services.

Collaborated with hotel suppliers to reduce waste, emissions and water use from EY people. EY people have dedicated time and skills to accelerate environmental sustainability through the EY Ripples program and helped scale nearly 100 impact enterprises focused on critical socio-environmental issues. (Source: EYGM, PR, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: EY, Carmine Di Sibio, CEO, Steve Varley, EY Global Vice Chair – Sustainability , Alasdair Gee, Media, +44 (0) 20 7980 0612, Alasdair.Gee@uk.ey.com, www.ey.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ernst & Young,  Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Emissionms,  

Mexican Association of Wind Energy
Date: 2020-01-31
The Mexican Association of Wind Energy (MEWE) is reporting that country's wind energy installed and operating capacity has tripled to 6,200 MW over the last 5 years.

According to the MEWE release, "the evolution of technology and the abundance of resources in Mexico, has led to the world record here (low prices), which is around $ 17 per MWh. The areas of the southeast, north, northeast with great potential for wind resources have helped companies in the world have come to invest in the development of these sustainable projects that help reduce the carbon footprint of both the electricity sector and private companies." (Source: Mexican Association of Wind Energy, reve, 29 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mexican Association of Wind Energy,  

Date: 2020-01-31
In the Show-Me State, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting the availability of $6 million in low-interest energy efficiency,energy improvement loans for public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, local governments including municipal, county, airports, public water and wastewater treatment facilities, hospitals on others. Loans are repaid from energy savings achieved.

The loan application period ends April 17, 2020, for loans between $10,000 and $2 million. Loan applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis by the department's Division of Energy. (Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Daily Journal, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Craig Redmon, Dir., of Missouri Division of Energy, 573-751-3443, www.dnr.mo.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency Loan,  ,  

ExxonMobil
Date: 2020-01-31
In the Lone Star State, Houston-headquartered ExxonMobil has filed an application with the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council to construct and operate the LaBarge Carbon Capture Project about 33 miles northeast of Kemmerer, according to a Kallanish Energy report.

If approved, the project would include the installation of additional equipment at the Shute Creek gas Plant in Lincoln County and at the CO2 Sales Facility in Sweetwater County, and construction of a CO2 disposal well in Lincoln County.

The project is expected to come in at roughly $263 million when completed in late 2022. (Source: ExxonMobil, Kallanish Energy , 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: ExxonMobil, Robert Armstrong, www.exxonmobil.com, www.twitter.com/exxonmobil

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

CARB
Date: 2020-01-31
In Sacramento, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released a list of CARB-certified, third-party verifiers to provide program quality control of alternative fuels and the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

All verifiers must meet specific requirements that include prescreening for education and professional experience and completion of required training. Individual accredited verifiers work in teams under the direction of companies accredited by CARB as LCFS verification bodies.

The LCFS program is designed to lower the carbon intensity in fuels by assessing each step in their production, from extraction to combustion. Fuels are compared to an annually declining baseline. If a fuel has a carbon intensity above that baseline it generates a deficit for the producer. If the intensity is below the baseline it can generate credits which may then be sold to a producer who has a deficit. (Source: CARB, GreenCar Congress, 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: CARB, Richard Perry, CEO, Melanie Turner, Information Officer, (916) 322-2990, melanie.turner@arb.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low Carbon Fuel Standard,  California Air Resources Board,  CARG,  

Environment Massachusetts
Date: 2020-01-31
Bin Boston, the Massachusetts State Senate is reporting passage of the Energy SAVE Act (S.2478) that will set efficiency standards for commercial and household dishwashers, ovens, and dozens of other products.

The new standards are expected to reduce the Bay State's annual carbon emissions by 271,000 metric tons by 2035, cut water consumption by 9.8 billion gpy, reduce utility bills by a projected $282 million in 2035.

Similar legislation and standards are reportedly expected to be filed in Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia. California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington adopted state appliance standards in 2018 and 2019, (Source: Environment Massachusetts, Cape Cod Today, 31 Jan., 2020) Contact: Environment Massachusetts, Ben Hellerstein, Dir., 617-747-4400, www.environmentmassachusetts.org_

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Appliance Energy Efficiency,  

Haldor Topsoe,HollyFrontier
Date: 2020-01-31
Following up on our December 11, 2019 coverage, Dallas-based independent petroleum refiner and marketer HollyFrontier Corporation is reporting the selection of Haldor Topsoe's HydroFlexTM technology to produce renewable diesel at its 125-million gpy Artesia, New Mexico refinery (Navajo Refinery). The company expects renewable diesel production to generate 600,000 LCFS credits in its first year.

Under the agreement with Artesia Renewable Diesel Company LLC, a subsidiary of HollyFronteir, Topsoe will licence and supply basic engineering, proprietary equipment, catalysts, and technical services. The project is based on HydroFlex technology, which produces renewable fuels such as gasoline, diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, from all renewable feedstocks, according to the release. (Source: Haldor Topsoe, Energy Global, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Henrik Rasmussen, VP, www.topsoe.com; HollyFrontier Corp., George John Demiris, CEO, Craig Biery, Inv. Relations, 214-954-6510, www.hollyfrontier.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe,  HollyFrontier,  Renewable Fuel,  

Washington State
Date: 2020-01-31
In Olympia, the democrat-controlled Washington State House of Representatives is reporting passage of legislation that would create a low-carbon fuel standard mandate in Washington. House Republicans claimed the legislation would increase gas prices but have little to cut emissions, fight climate change or protect the state's environment.

House Bill 1110 would implement a California-style low carbon fuel standard which would mandate a change in the makeup of motor fuel sold in Washington. (Source: Various Media, My Columbia Basin, 30 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  

Voltalia
Date: 2020-01-31
Paris-headquartered renewable energy specialist Voltalia is reporting receipt of planning permission for its planned 40MW solar farm with battery storage in Dorset, England.

The company is moving the project into the implementation phase this year and will be looking for local partners in Dorset for the completion and delivery of the project. (Source: Voltalia, Energy Storage 30 Jan., 2020) Contact: Voltalia, +33 1 81 70 37 00, accueil.paris@voltalia.com, www.voltalia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Voltalia,  Energy Storage,  Solar ,  

Property Assessed Clean Energy
Date: 2020-01-31
St. Louis-based Twain Financial Partners reports it provided $34 million in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing to the development of a luxury boutique hotel and parking structure located in the Old Town neighborhood at the heart of Temecula, CA.

Twain provided financing for the resort through Western Riverside Council of Governments' (WRCOG) C-PACE program. C-PACE offers developers low-cost, long-term financing for 100 pct of the cost of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements for commercial real estate projects. (Source: Twain Financial Partners;Truax Development, PR, 29 Jan., 2020) Contact: Twain Financial, Fran Doherty, Bus. Dev., 314-300-4135, www.twainfinancial.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency C-PACE,  Property Assessed Clean Energy ,  PACE,  Energy Efficiency Financing,  

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister
Date: 2020-01-31
On the Canadian prairies, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister (PC) is touting his government's Manitoba Climate and Green Plan and the implementation of new clean fuel standards to reduce Manitoba's emissions by almost 400,000 metric tons cumulatively over the next five years -- equivalent to removing 100,000 vehicles from the province's highways.

Under the plan, Manitoba will increase the ethanol content requirement of gasoline to 10 pct from 8.5 pct, and the biodiesel content of diesel to 5 pct from 2 pct. (Source: Office of Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, Government of Manitoba, 28 January , 2020) Contact: Office of Premier Brian Pallister, 204-945-3714, Fax - 204-949-1484, premier@leg.gov.mb.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend,  Clean Fuel,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  

Air Liquide,Solidia
Date: 2020-01-29
Air Liquide reports the renewal of its 2016 partnership with Piscataway, New Jersey-based cement and concrete technology specialist Solidia Technologies. Under their 2016 agreement, a team of Air Liquide and Solidia Technologies experts "industrialized" Solidia Concrete, which uses carbon dioxide (CO2) to cure concrete.

The combination of the consumption of CO2 during curing, and lowered carbon emissions achieved in the production of low-energy Solidia Cement that is used to bind the concrete, results in an up to 70 pct reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete, according to the release.

Air Liquide is Solidia's preferred supplier of CO2 and the equipment used for its injection in the cement-concrete production process.(Source: Air Liquide, Chemical Engineering 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Air Liquide, Corporate Communications, +33 (0)1 40 62 58 49, media@airliquide.com, www.airliquide.com; Solidia, 908-315-5901, www.solidiatech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Liquide,  CO2,  Cement,  Concrete,  

Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2020-01-29
Further to Monday, 27 Jan. coverage -- Court Disqualifies Recent RFS "Hardship" Waivers -- the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and other biofuel industry groups are praising the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling striking down three small refinery "hardship" exemption waivers.

The court ruled the EPA cannot "extend” exemptions to any small refineries whose earlier, temporary exemptions had lapsed" as was the case in the three over ruled exemptions.

Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)noted: "The Court has affirmed our long-held position that EPA's recent practices and policies regarding small refinery exemption extensions were completely unlawful. And while the decision addresses three specific exemptions, the statutory interpretation issues resolved by the court apply much more broadly."

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied. (Source: Various Media, Agri-Pulse, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  RFA,  RFS,  "Hardship" Waiver,  Ethanol Blend,  

California Energy Commission,Aemetis
Date: 2020-01-29
Cupertino, California-headquartered Aemetis, Inc. is reporting its subsidiary Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. has scored two grants totaling $14 million from the California Energy Commission for plant upgrades to reduce reduce natural gas consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve efficiency and decrease operating costs, and reduce the carbon intensity of fuel grade ethanol produced at the Keyes plant. The upgrades are expected to improve the annual operating cash flow of the Keyes plant by $13 million, according to the release.

The upgrades will include installation of a 1.56-MW photovoltaic micro grid solar array with integrated battery energy storage and an AI-driven power distribution control system, which is expected to significantly reduce the natural gas consumption improve operational efficiency. (Source: Aemetis, PR, NewsWire, 28 Jan., 2020)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com

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

Aviation Biofuel
Date: 2020-01-29
In Toulouse, a French aviation industry working group comprised of Government agencies, Airbus, Air France, Safran, Suez and Total has issued a Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) as a first step towards identifying potential projects and investors in the emerging sustainable second generation sustainable aviation biofuel industry in France. To that end, the working group has recommended the industry and government:

Mobilize the necessary volume of raw -- biofuel feedstocks -- materials for the aviation sector;

Ensure that sustainable resources, especially sustainable resources sourced from the circular economy, are used to produce sustainable aviation fuel;

Ensure that the industry is economically viable for all actors in the value chain through appropriate incentive schemes;

Use existing airport logistics distribution networks;

Support and promote production diversification.

The expansion of sustainable aviation fuel constitutes a strategic lever for reducing net CO2 emissions from air transport over a full lifecycle by up to 80 pct before blend, according to the release. (Source: Safran Group, PR, NewsWire Today, 27 Jan., 2020) Contact: Airbus, Matthieu Duvelleroy: +33 (0) 6 29 43 15 64 , matthieu.duvelleroy@airbus.com, www.airbus.com; Air France, Morgane Le Gall, +33 (0) 6 14 30 44 52 , molegall@airfrance.fr; Safran, Isabelle JAVARY, +33 (0) 1 40 60 82 20 , isabelle.javary@safrangroup.com, www.safrangroup.com; SUEZ, Isabelle Herrier Naufle, +33 (0) 1 58 81 55 62 , isabelle.herrier.naufle@suez.com, www.suez.com; Total, Media, +33 (0) 1 47 44 46 99 , presse@total.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  

Western Dubuque Biodiesel
Date: 2020-01-29
In the Hawkkeye State, Western Dubuque Biodiesel is reporting the resumption of production at its 30 million gpy biodiesel plant in Farley. The plant was idle through December 2019 and most of January, 2020. (Source: Western Dubuque Biodiesel, AgWeb, 27 Jan.,2020)Contact: Western Dubuque Biodiesel 563-744-3554, 563.744.3524 - fax, www.wdbiodiesel.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Western Dubuque Biodiesel,  

Lundin Petroleum
Date: 2020-01-29
In Stockholm, Swedish oil firm Lundin Petroleum AB reports it is aiming make its operations carbon neutral by 2030. To that end the company is cutting emissions from operations, boosting energy efficiency and developing carbon capture (CCS) mechanisms. The company, which is changing its name to Lundin Energy AB, is also seeking to invest in renewable energy projects. (Source: Lundin Petroleum, Hellenic Shipping News, Reuters, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Lundin Petroleum, Tel +46 8 440 54 50, Fax +46 8 440 54 59, www.lundin-petroleum.com

WEC Energy ,Invenergy
Date: 2020-01-29
Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based WEC Energy Group Inc. reports it will acquire an 80 pct ownership interest in ithe McLean County, Illinois, Blooming Grove Wind Farm for $345 million, subject to regulatory approvals.

The project, which has two PPAs in place, will incorporate 94 GE wind turbines with a combined capacity of 250 MW, is being developed by Invenergy and is slated to come online before the year end. (Source: WEC Energy Group, Saur Energy , 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: WEC Energy Group, Gale Klappa, (414) 221-7345, www.wecenergygroup.com; Invenergy, Meghan Schultz, Snr VP, Finance & Capital Markets, (312) 224-1400, www.invenergyllc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News WEC Energy ,  Invenergy,  Wind,  

Church of England
Date: 2020-01-29
In the UK, the Church of England reports it is aiming to reduce the church's carbon footprint from all of its 40,000 buildings to carbon zero by 2045.

To that end, York Minster -- the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York -- has already seen all halogen bulbs replaced with low-energy LED lighting with motion control systems, the installation of new energy efficient heating systems and other low-carbon, energy efficient and climate friendly upgrades. York Minster also buys 90 pct of goods locally to reduce CO2 emissions from transportation and looks at energy usage when ordering new components. (Source: York Minster, PR, 28 Jan., 2020)Contact: York Minster, www.yorkminster.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Carbon,  Carbon Neutral,  Energy Efficiency,  

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,  

DOE
Date: 2020-01-29
"There are a number of problematic Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standards for home appliances. Perhaps worst of all is the one resulting in dishwashers taking hours to do the job. Fortunately, CEI's petition to modify the regulations to allow dishwashers that can finish a load in an hour or less is making headway at the agency, and it doesn't hurt that President Trump has expressed strong support for the effort. But even better than fixing bad regulations is preventing them from happening in the first place, and DOE's recent process rule, applicable to all future appliance rule-makings, contains a number of useful measures.

"Most importantly, the agency will henceforth forbid standards that fail to deliver significant energy savings. Efficiency standards typically raise the upfront cost of the appliance, but presumably pay the consumer back in the form of lower energy bills -- unless the energy savings are too trivial.

"The process rule contains a new bright-line requirement that a new or amended standard must save an estimated 0.3 quadrillion BTUs over 30 years (or improve current efficiency by at least 10 percent). According to the agency, if this threshold had already been in place, 40 pct of the appliance rules would have never been enacted. These 40 pct are so useless that, in aggregate, they account for a mere 4 pct of the program's estimated energy savings. Thus, this provision would eliminate those standards most likely to impose more pain than gain for consumers.

"Other provisions in the process rule allow for a more open and interactive regulatory process, rather than one that limits the manufacturers' input while the rule is being fashioned by the agency. The process rule is also judicially enforceable." (Source: US DOE, Competitive Enterprise Institute - Blog, 29 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards,  

Svante ,Climeworks
Date: 2020-01-29
Burnaby, British Columbia-based Svante IncCarbon capture experts Svante Inc of Canada and Zurich-headquartered carbon capture technology specialist Climeworks AG are reporting a joint development agreement that should facilitate the quicker scale-up of their technologies climate-positive carbon solutions for both carbon removal and sectors with unavoidable emissions, such as the concrete and steelmaking industries.

Svante -- f.k.a. Inventys Inc. -- has developed a commercially viable option to capture large-scale CO2 emissions from existing infrastructure. Climeworks offers Direct Air Capture (DAC) solutions that help remove CO2 from the atmosphere. (Source: Climeworks AG, Renewables Now, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Svante Inc., Claude Letourneau, , Pres., CEO, Julia McKenna , Inv. Relations, 604.456.0504, jmckenna@svanteinc.com, www.svanteinc.com; Climeworks AG, Jan Wurzbacher and Christoph Gebald, co-founder and co-CEO, +41 44 533 2999, www.climeworks.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Svante ,  Climeworks,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Capture ,  

Sainsbury
Date: 2020-01-29
In the UK, retail grocery giant Sainsbury's reports it has committed to investing £1 billion ($1,301,400,000 - US) over the next twenty years as part of an effort to become net-zero carbon by 2040.

To reach its goal Sainsbury's will focus on cutting carbon emissions, food waste, plastic packaging, water usage and increasing recycling, biodiversity and healthy and sustainable eating. The retailer's current carbon footprint of 1 million tpy is a 35 pct absolute reduction over the last 15 years despite its space increasing by 46 pct over the same time frame. (Source: Sainsbury's, Share Cast, 28 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sainsbury,  Carbon Emissions,  

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,  

TOTAL
Date: 2020-01-29
Paris-based energy giant TOTAL, through its renewable electricity production subsidiary Total Quadran, is reporting an agreement under which Banque des Territoires will take a 50 pct equity stake in Total Quadran's 143-MW portfolio of solar and wind energy assets in France for roughly €300 million ($330 million US).

The portfolio includes 11 wind farms and 35 solar power plants, with a cumulative capacity of 96 MW and 47 MW respectively.

Total Quadran operates over 300 renewable energy plants in France totaling nearly 900 MW, generating 1,675 GWh of renewable electricity per year. (Source: TOTAL, PR, BusinessWire, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Total Quadran, +33 4 67 32 63 35 Elodie Billerey, elodie.billerey@total-quadran.com, www.total-quadran.com; Banque des Territoires, www.banquedesterritoires.fr; Caisse des Depots Group, Isaline Ollivie, +33 1 58 50 23 07, isaline.ollivier@caissedesdepots.fr, www.caissedesdepots.fr; Total, Investor Relations: +44 (0)207 719 7962 l ir@total.com, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

Stockholm Exergi,Fortum
Date: 2020-01-29
In Sweden, Stockholm Exergi, a joint venture between Helsinki, Finnish utility Fortum Oyi and the city of Stockholm, reports it is looking to make Swedish capital's district heating the world's first to become carbon negative.

To that end, the company this spring will close its last coal-fired boiler and has replaced most of its coal-based production with biofuels. The company is also investigating the implementation of carbon capture systems to achieve a positive carbon footprint by 2040.

Fortum Oyi is also testing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Oslo at its joint venture Fortum Oslo Varme. Both the Stockholm and Oslo projects are partnering with the Northern Lights initiative, which is studying carbon storage in the bedrock of the North Sea. (Source: Stockholm Exergi, Recharge, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Stockholm Exergi, www.stockholmexergi.se; Fortum Oyi, www3.fortum.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  Fortum,  Carbon Negative,  Carbon Emissions,  Stockholm,  

Statkraft,Envios
Date: 2020-01-29
Norwegian state-owned energy giant Statkraft AS reports it and Alberta, Canada-based energy management specialist Envios Systems have inked an agreement with German automaker Daimler to supply 100 pct wind and solar generated electricity using a new concept that combines wind, solar and hydropower to match the demand.

The electricity for Daimler's factories will be generated mostly by Statkraft's wind and solar projects in Germany, and then added to by its hydropower facilities when necessary. Under the agreement, Envios Systems is responsible for the energy management process "including physical delivery, balancing group management, billing, grid usage, consumption forecasts and hedging of green electricity quantities," according to Statkraft. (Source: Statkraft, PR, Windpower, 28 Jan., 2020)Contact: Statkraft AS, Duncan Dale, VP UK, +47 24 06 70 00, www.statkraft.com; Envos Systems, 1 888 547 7401, info@enviosystems.com, www.enviosystems.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Statkraft,  Envios,  Renewable Energy,  Energy Storage,  

Cycleenergy,Innogy
Date: 2020-01-29
Essen, Germany-based energy company Innogy is reporting the sale of its subsidiary NRW Pellets GmbH biomass pellet production plant in Erndtebruck, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, to Austria-based Cycleenergy Holding GmbH for an undisclosed price, effective 27 Jan., 2020.

With this acquisition, Cycleenergy's portfolio includes three biomass plants and two pellet factories in Austria. (Source: Innogy, PR, Renewables, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Cycleenergy Holding GmbH, www.cycleenergy.com; Innogy, NRW Pellets, www.nrwpellets.nl

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wood Pellet,  Biomass Pellet,  Innogy,  

Kansas Legislature
Date: 2020-01-29
Gov. Laura Kelly (D) outlined intentions Tuesday to submit an executive reorganization order to the Kansas Legislature creating an independent "data-driven" state energy office to work on policy development and planning outside jurisdiction of the Kansas Corporation Commission. If passed by the legislature, the Council will come into force no later than July, 2020.

The new energy office would work on formation of an energy marketplace that affordably and efficiently meets needs of business and residential consumers, strive to take advantage of two decades of success in wind power production and emphasize potential of energy efficiency programs. (Source: Office of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Hutchinson News, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Office of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, www.governor.kansas.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

RWE Renewables
Date: 2020-01-29
RWE Renewables is reporting its 57-MW Morcone Wind Farm in Campania,Italy, is now online. The facility's 19 turbines are expected to generate sufficient electric power for as many as 65,000 homes per year.

Including the Morcone Wind Farm, RWE's operational wind portfolio in Italy stands at 440 MW. (Source: RWE Renewables, Jan., 2020) Contact: RWE Renewables, www.rwe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RWE Renewables ,  Wind,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2020-01-29
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced its list of Top 10 States for LEED green building. The list ranks states based on the number of LEED certified sq. ft. per person. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world with more than 100,000 projects engaged. This year's top states are home to more than 105 million people, including more than 80,000 LEED green building professionals with the skills to support the sustainable transformation of buildings.

The top LEED state is Colorado, followed by Illinois, Mass., New York, Hawaii, Maryland , Virginia, Minnesota, Oregon and California in that order. (Source: US Green Building Council, Jan., 2020)Contact: US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification ,  

Green Hydrogen Coalition
Date: 2020-01-29
The Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC), a US 501c3 non-profit charitable organization focused on building top-down momentum for scalable green hydrogen projects that leverage multi-sector opportunities to simultaneously scale supply and demand, is reporting its official launch.

The GHC aims to facilitate policies and practices that advance green hydrogen production and its use in all sectors where it will accelerate a carbon free energy future.

GHC founders and supporters include: Intersect Power, 8minute Solar Energy, SoCalGas and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), according to its website. (Source: Green Hydrogen Coalition, H2View, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: Green Hydrogen Coalition, info@ghcoalition.org, www.ghcoalition.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Green Hydrogen,  

Green Hydrogen Coalition
Date: 2020-01-29
In the Golden State, Santa Barbara-based HyperSolar, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and water, is reporting it's Gen 1 product manufacturing pilot plant is slated for completion in late Spring, 2020.

"HyperSolar is developing a breakthrough, low cost technology to make renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water, including seawater and wastewater. Unlike hydrocarbon fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas, where carbon dioxide and other contaminants are released into the atmosphere when used, hydrogen fuel usage produces pure water as the only byproduct. By optimizing the science of water electrolysis at the nano-level, our low cost nanoparticles mimic photosynthesis to efficiently use sunlight to separate hydrogen from water, to produce environmentally friendly renewable hydrogen. Using our low cost method to produce renewable hydrogen, we intend to enable a world of distributed hydrogen production for renewable electricity and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles," according to the company website. (Source: HyperSolar, PR, 28 Jan., 2020) Contact: HyperSolar, Tim Young, CEO, info@hypersolar.com, www.hypersolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News HyperSolar,  Sola,  Renewable Hydrogenr,  

University of Tennessee
Date: 2020-01-27
A UT microbiologist has received a portion of a $3.1 million grant from the US DOE to study how global warming could affect peatlands and their vast carbon stores in the future.

Steven Wilhelm, the Kenneth and Blaire Mossman Professor of Microbiology, is part of a team led by Jean-Philippe Gibert, a food web expert and assistant professor of biology at Duke University. Wilhelm's co-investigators include David Weston and Dale Pelletier, staff scientists in the Biosciences Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Jonathan Shaw, professor of biology at Duke. In the three-year project, the group will study and model the effects of warming on the complex network of bacteria, protists, and viruses that interact with peat moss.

Peat moss plays a key role in slowing climate change by keeping 370 million metric tpy of CO2 out of the atmosphere -- equivalent to the emissions from nearly half the car traffic in the US.

Though peatlands cover just 3 pct of the Earth's surface they store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests. Over hundreds or thousands of years, Sphagnum and other peatland plants pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as they grow, trapping the carbon inside layers of partially decayed plant material up to 20 feet deep. But warming trends could put that carbon storage at risk. Rising temperatures could thaw or dry out peat wetlands, making them more prone to decay and wildfires. Decomposing or burning plants mean the heat-trapping gas long locked up in peatlands could be released, accelerating the global warming process.

To better predict the impacts of warming on peatlands and the carbon they contain, the team is studying a set of players they say are largely overlooked: microbes. Their previous work suggests that under future warming, the community of microbes and other tiny organisms that grow in and around peat mosses could shift balance, which could affect the ability of peatlands to sequester carbon. (Source: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, PR, 27 Jan., 2020) Contact: University of Tennessee, Karen Dunlap, 865-974-8674, kdunlap6@utk.edu, Amanda Womac , 865-974-2992, awomac1@utk.edu, www.utk.edu; Duke University, Robin Smith, (919-681-8057, robin.a.smith@duke.edu, www.duke.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Peatland,  Carbon Storage,  Carbon Sequestration,  Carbon Emissions,  University of Tennessee,  

Prasino Ladi
Date: 2020-01-27
Greek biodiesel producer Prasino Ladi (Green Oil) is touting a new web-sites based program that makes it easier and more cost effective for consumers to collect used cooking oil and animal fats the company uses for biodiesel production.

With the company's recently released website system restaurants and homes to can easily identify the nearest collection and collection schedule within a 2 kilometers radius.

In 2019, the company produced 13,600 tonnes of biodiesel from animal fats and used cooking oil collected for roughly 15,000 restaurants across the country. (Source: Prasino Ladi, EURACTIVE, 20 Jan., 2020) Contact: Prasino Ladi, Giorgos Kyriakopoulos, CEO, +30 210 572 2108, info@prasinoladi.gr, www.prasinoladi.gr

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  

Marubeni,Total,Qatar
Date: 2020-01-27
The Paris-headquartered energy giant Toal reports it is partnering with Japan's Marubeni Corp to develop the $500 million, 800 MW Al Kharsaah Solar PV IPP plant west of Doha, Qatar. Total will hold 49 pct and Marubini 51 pct.

Qatar's first large-scale solar power plant, Al Kharsaah , will incorporate 2 million bifacial solar modules with trackers and is expected to initially come online in 2021 before reaching its full capacity in 2022.

The project will be developed and operated by Siraj 1 SPV, jointly owned by the Consortium of Total Solar International and Marubeni together holding 40 pct and Siraj Energy holding 60 pct.(Source: Total, Various Media, Renewable Energy, 24 Jan., 2020) Contact: Total, www.total.com/en; Marubeni, www.marubeni.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Qatar Solar,  Total,  Marubeni,