RNG NEWS
Gas Prices in California to Rise July 1, But Not by 65 Cents
A lot of confusion is swirling around a supposed 65-cent jump in California gas prices coming July 1. But that figure isn’t accurate. Here’s what’s actually changing — and what drivers should expect.
Starting July 1, California’s state gas excise tax will increase as part of an annual inflation adjustment. The tax will rise from 59.6 cents per gallon to 61.2 cents per gallon—an increase of just 1.6 cents. While that’s a noticeable change, it’s a far cry from the widely circulated claim that gas prices are about to skyrocket by 65 cents per gallon.
Ukrainian Network Received over 5 Million Cubic Metres of Biomethane
Since September 2024, two Ukrainian producers have supplied more than 5 million cubic meters of biomethane to Ukraine’s gas transmission system (GTS), said Kateryna Kovalenko, Head of the Strategy Department at the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), during a conference on the development of biomethane production in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Energy has played an important role in the development of the sector, particularly in creating a regulatory framework for the production, certification and export of biomethane, as well as coordinating technical procedures with the transmission system, storage and distribution network operators.
Mexico Universities Collaborate to Develop SAF from Biomass: Report
Two universities in Mexico have collaborated to produce sustainable aviation fuel using biomass, according to a local media report.
The Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) Iztapalapa is jointly working with the Universidad de Guanajuato to produce SAF from Furanos-to-Jet (FTJ), using furans - organic compounds derived from the degradation of biomass, Mexico Business News reported.
TotalEnergies Sells 50% Stake in Polish Biogas Firm in $213M Deal
TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) said Wednesday it agreed to sell 50% of its fully-owned Polish biogas producer Polska Grupa Biogazowa to Norwegian investment company HitecVision in a deal valued at €190M (~$213M), including debt.
PGB is the leader in biogas in Poland, with 20 units in operation and a production capacity of more than 450 GWh of equivalent biomethane; it has two plants under construction in Poland and aims to diversify into biomethane production, with a goal of reaching 2 TWh of equivalent biomethane production capacity by 2030.
RNG COALITION Celebrates 500 Operational RNG Facilities in North America
Today, the RNG COALITION announces the commissioning of the 500th operational renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in North America. This is a significant milestone that achieves the 2025 benchmark for the industry’s Sustainable Methane Abatement & Recycling Timeline (SMART) initiative.
“Across our industry value-chain, members should be proud of the positive impact our collective leadership, education, advocacy, development and sustainability is having on society, in our economy and for our environment”, said Johannes Escudero, Founder & CEO of the RNG COALITION. “Together, we have accomplished something that few believed was possible. We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re going to celebrate and tell the incredible story that is the RNG industry.”
New Zealand Utility Moves On Biomethane After Positive Studies
New Zealand North Island energy distributor Powerco has completed two feasibility investigations into upgrading biogas to biomethane for use in its gas network.
In April 2024, Powerco launched initiatives with Manawatu District Council (MDC) and Midwest Disposals to conduct technical analysis and engineering design at the Manawatu Wastewater Treatment Plant and the wider Manawatu Resource Recovery Park, plus Bonny Glen landfill.
RNG COALITION Featured in NBC Piece on California LCFS
“I think there’s been a lot of hyperbole around gas price impacts from the program, in part because they are hard to forecast,” said Sam Wade of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (CARB). “Just as it's difficult to forecast where oil prices might go, it's difficult to forecast where the credit prices in the system might end up.”
“The changes are really just to try and get more clean air and more greenhouse gas reductions out of the fuels that we use in the state, so if you're in favor of avoiding climate damages like major wildfires and breathing cleaner air in our communities, then you should support the program,” Wade said.
Australia Allows Emissions Reporting for Biomethane, H2
The Australian government will enable companies to report scope 1 emissions from the consumption of biomethane and hydrogen, which will need to be backed by eligible renewable gas certificates, it announced today.
Companies will be able to prove that the gas they receive from the natural gas network and consume in a reporting year contains an amount of renewable gas, as represented by renewable gas certificates retired or completed by them or on their behalf, adjusted for losses, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said on 13 June.
US Biofuel Mandate Shake-Up Could Have Far-Reaching Trade Effects
Global renewable fuel and feedstocks trade was poised for yet another plot twist after the US released Friday long-awaited proposed biofuel blend mandates with a huge increase in biodiesel and renewable diesel targets and which also massively disadvantaged imported fuels and feedstocks.
The US proposed the targets, called the Renewable Volume Obligation, with a more than two-thirds increase in its biomass-based diesel mandate at a record-high 5.61 billion gallons for 2026.
Anaergia Expands Techbau Partnership to Seven Italian Biomethane Plants
Anaergia has expanded its agreement with Techbau to build seven biomethane plants in Italy, after initially partnering on five facilities earlier this year.
The Canadian renewable developer will provide anaerobic digestion technology while Techbau will oversee engineering, procurement and construction of the facilities, which will use agricultural and food processing waste as feedstocks.