Renewable Natural Gas Offers California $14 Billion Economic Stimulus

Renewable Natural Gas Offers California $14B Economic Stimulus, Report Says

Richard Nemec
May 2, 2017


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Renewable natural gas (RNG), or biomethane, could be a major job-creator in California and add up to $14 billion to the state's economy, according to a report released Monday at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, CA.

While analyzing various scenarios involving 172,000 to 516,000 low-nitrogen oxide (NOx) natural gas vehicle (NGV) trucks and more than 500 million diesel gallon equivalents (DGE) of RNG produced in the state, the report concluded that 81,000 to 134,000 jobs could be added in California between 2018 and 2030.

"For every job created through investment in low-NOx NGV trucks, fueling infrastructure, and RNG production facilities, about two jobs are created in supporting industries (indirect) and via spending by employees that are directly or indirectly supported by these industries (induced)," said the report’s authors.

While ACT's opening day was focused on re-examining last year's "Game Changer Summit," with an update on the advancement of near-zero emission heavy-duty NGV applications in the clean transportation sector, the Coalition for RNG and the California NGV Coalition released the jobs study, which they commissioned by ICF.

The report underscores the two natural gas transportation coalitions’ contention that a switch to RNG trucks could "quickly" help California achieve its air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and climate change-related goals.

"More than 95% of the trucks on California roads currently use petroleum-based diesel fuel and are a major source of particulate, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and GHG emissions," they said.

In Southern California, emissions from heavy-duty trucks represent the largest single source of NOx emissions, which combine with other pollutants to form both ground-level ozone and fine particulates (PM2.5), according to both the report and members of an opening panel discussion at ACT.

Capturing and converting methane produced in waste streams, including dairies, agriculture, landfills and wastewater treatment plants, can cut GHG emissions by up to 70%, they said.

RNG Coalition CEO Johannes Escudero said that transforming heavy-duty trucks to run on RNG is good for the economy as well as the environment.

"Our industry is eager to develop new projects, create additional employment opportunities and supply the heavy-duty truck sector in California with RNG -- the lowest carbon-intense transportation fuel commercially available," Escudero said.

Advocating more aggressive policies in the state to meet overlapping environmental, energy and economic goals, the ICF report said more deployment of RNG presents a "compelling economic opportunity." The key is creating a "sustainable and robust" alternative transportation fuel industry in California, the report concluded, using an input-output model.

The model considered low-NOx NGV trucks deployed through 2030, concentrating on one of two truck strategies and maximizing the state's potential sources of RNG from four principal areas: landfills, wastewater treatment plants, dairies and biomass, such as agricultural and forestry residue.

ICF's report concluded that there are "few comparable opportunities" for developing "a robust alternative transportation fuel production industry" in the state, adding that low-NOx trucks, combined with the use of California-produced RNG have the potential to displace 1 billion DGEs annually.

http://www.naturalgasintel.com/artic...us-report-says

Study: RNG in Transportation Boosts Jobs, Economy for California

Posted by
Lauren Tyler -
May 2, 2017

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The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) and the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (CNGVC) have jointly released a new jobs study revealing that deploying trucks fueled by RNG could create up to 130,000 new jobs and add $14 billion to California’s economy.

The “RNG Jobs Report” examines the economic potential of fueling heavy-duty trucks with RNG produced in California instead of being powered by petroleum-based diesel.

As reported, a switch to RNG trucks could quickly help California achieve its air quality, greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change-related goals, the two coalitions say. More than 95% of the trucks on California roads currently use petroleum-based diesel fuel and are a major source of particulate, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and greenhouse-gas emissions.

In Southern California, the heavy-duty trucking sector is the single-largest source of NOx emissions, which combine with other pollutants to form both ground-level ozone and fine particulates, also known as PM2.5. In fact, the ports and related goods-movement activity emit more than 35% of all smog-forming pollutants in the region.

The latest heavy-duty RNG engines reduce NOx emissions by 90%, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“This study affirms what we have been advocating: Increased production, deployment and utilization of RNG not only realizes significant benefits for our environment, but for our economy, as well,” says Johannes Escudero, CEO of the RNG Coalition. “Our industry is eager to develop new projects, create additional employment opportunities and supply the heavy-duty truck sector in California with renewable natural gas – the lowest carbon-intense transportation fuel commercially available.”

“We recognize the importance of ensuring not only we clean up our air, but that when evaluating alternative solutions, we also consider the impact on our economy,” says Thomas Lawson, president of CNGVC. “This study shows that renewable natural gas deployed in natural gas vehicles will not only improve our air quality, but serve as an economic engine for all Californians, too.”

The newest heavy-duty natural gas engines are well-suited for transit and refuse applications and big enough to haul freight. As large as 9 liters with 320 horsepower, the engines are certified by the California Air Resources Board at “near-zero” emissions levels, equivalent to a 100% battery truck.

A 12-liter near-zero engine with 400 horsepower, specifically designed for heavy-duty trucks, is slated for production later this year.

The study, produced by ICF, reflects options to deploy low NOx natural gas trucks in various applications and vehicle classes through 2030. The number of trucks considered is linked to one of two strategies: low NOx trucks deployed at the San Pedro Bay Ports in Southern California or low NOx trucks deployed in the California Air Resources Board’s mobile source strategy.

As shown in the report’s included chart, switching to natural gas trucks fueled by RNG at the two San Pedro Bay Ports in Southern California would add more than 23,000 jobs and $2 billion in economic benefits. A state-wide solution that includes the California Air Resources Board’s mobile source strategy would result in up to 134,000 jobs and $14 billion in economic benefits.

For every job created through direct investment in the trucking and goods movement sector powered by California-produced RNG, two more jobs will be created. The study estimates that these are high-paying jobs, with estimated labor income more than double California’s current median income.

The full study is available here.

https://ngtnews.com/study-rng-transp...its-california

MTS Using CNG, RNG for San Diego Buses

October 14, 2016 by Rich Piellisch

Maintenance Capability at Love’s-Trillium Station to Support 120 Buses,

Agency Is a Pioneering User of RNG and the New ISL G Near Zero Engine

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has brought enhanced compressed natural gas bus capability to its East County area, opening a new bus operation and maintenance center at El Cajon, site of an existing Trillium CNG fueling station.

http://2wmai31tqaod34qdj41sfm31.wpen...50-600x381.jpgSan Diego MTS can service CNG buses as well as fuel them at El Cajon.

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The El Cajon is to support 120 CNG buses, as a permanent Love’s-Trillium CNG station is to be installed in the next four to five months “as part of the next construction phase,” says a spokesman.The agency operates 543 CNG-fueled vehicles out of a fixed-route total of 613 – The “MTS fixed-route total is 88.6% CNG,” the spokesman says.

Biomethane via BP
“We are the first transit agency in California to utilize biogas,” Mark Olson told F&F, acquiring the fuel from BP. MTS has repowered six Gillig buses with the new super low-NOx ISL G Near Zero engine from Cummins Westport, he adds.

http://2wmai31tqaod34qdj41sfm31.wpen...00-600x316.jpgCutting the ribbon in El Cajon.

“The engines have performed exceptionally well over the first 40,000 miles,” he says. “MTS plans to use the ISL G Near Zero as a solution to reach the 0.02 NOx level required for MTS to operate in California.”

“MTS is playing a leading role by investing in the fight to reduce emissions through clean and renewable energy and new engine technologies,” he says.

Looking for LEED
MTS has Trillium CNG stations for its Kearny Mesa and Imperial Avenue division facilities in San Diego too, and a fourth at its South Bay division facility in Chula Vista. All served by San Diego Gas & Electric and BP.

The 34,500-square-foot maintenance building and 10,275-square-foot administrative building opened yesterday. They occupy a 5.5-acre site in El Cajon.

Energy-efficient designs and equipment include on-site renewable energy, LED lighting, reflective windows, water use reduction techniques, drought-tolerant landscaping and temperature control technology. “All these features will help the facility secure LEED Silver status by the U.S. Green Building Council,” MTS says.

A Long Process
The construction contractor was Clark Construction.

http://2wmai31tqaod34qdj41sfm31.wpen...es-600x169.jpgNearly 90% of the more than 600 buses operated by San Diego MTS are powered by CNG. Graphic does not reflect the agency’s recent order for 77 propane autogas-fueled paratranait vehicles.

The $38 million facility will help MTS wean itself from diesel buses – a process started in 1993.

MTS operates both straight buses and 60-foot articulated vehicles fueled by CNG, built by New Flyer and Gillig (F&F, December 20, 2012 and January 16, 2013).

Propane Paratransit Vehicles Too
Just last month, MTS publicized an order for 77 paratransit vehicles fueled by propane autogas – the agency’s first (F&F, September 27).

The new El Cajon center employs 115 bus operators and 14 mechanics who together provide bus service for more than 4 million riders per year.

http://2wmai31tqaod34qdj41sfm31.wpen...00-600x253.jpgCNG on the job in San Diego

https://ngtnews.com/study-rng-transp...its-california

Clean Fuel Trash Trucks Will Help Achieve City's Climate Action Plan

The project aims to switch the city's entire fleet of trash trucks to natural gas by 2022.

By Cassia Pollock


[IMG]http://media.nbcsandiego.com/images/652*367/CityCleanTrashTrucks050217.jpg[/IMG]
City of San Diego

Mayor Kevin Faulconer unveiled the City's plan to switch the recycling collection trucks from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas.


The city opened a new facility Tuesday to power trash trucks with cleaner fuel to reduce smog pollution by up to 90 percent, confirmed City officials.

In an effort to make a cleaner San Diego, Mayor Kevin Faulconer and City Councilmember Chris Cate announced that the city will start using compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel fuel, for its entire fleet of recycling collection trucks.

The natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel that drastically lowers greenhouse gas emissions while saving taxpayer dollars, said city officials.

"We all know that vehicle emissions are the leading cause of air pollution so the City is leading by example," Mayor Faulconer said, in a statement.

"By transitioning to compressed natural gas, we’re making our fleet greener and saving money at the same time. This is a win-win for San Diegans and will help us reach our climate action goals."

The City carried out the second phase of constructing a new CNG fueling station last month at the Environmental Services

Department's Collection Services facility located on Miramar Place.

City officials say there are currently 20 CNG vehicles, which are expected to reduce smog-contributing pollutants up to 90 percent compared to diesel.

"The City's new compressed natural gas fueling station will truly benefit all San Diegans,” Councilmember Cate said, in a statement.

"The collection trucks that residents see picking up their refuse and recycling bins will now be powered by cleaner fuel."

Once completed, the new station will replace all 131 diesel-powered collection vehicles with CNG trucks by 2022, according to the City. This would help achieve one of the Mayor's goals in the Climate Action Plan.

That would reduce diesel fuel consumed by more than one million gallons each year, said city officials.

The new vehicles will also be much quieter than the City's current diesel trucks, officials said.

"Not only is it cheaper and cleaner than diesel, it will ensure that our collection trucks are much quieter while picking up trash and recyclables in our neighborhoods," said Mario Sierra, the City’s Environmental Services Director, in a statement.

The entire fueling station project will cost $5.3 million, with funds from the California Energy Commission, the City's Recycling Enterprise Fund and the General Fund.

Source:http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/loca...#ixzz4fxRwBkTM

School District Grows Fleet with 71 New Natural Gas Buses

Posted by
Lauren Tyler -
November 17, 2016

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Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified), the second-largest school district in the country, has purchased 71 Saf-T-Liner C2 compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses from Thomas Built Buses.

With the purchase of these new buses, LA Unified becomes the latest in a growing number of districts incorporating Type C CNG school buses in their fleets.

In 1994, LA Unified implemented a long-term replacement strategy to decrease its environmental impact and refresh its older fleet of buses. Through a $300,000 grant from the California Energy Commission, the district has been replacing many of its older buses with CNG units and updating its CNG infrastructure.

Currently, LA Unified operates 1,300 school buses – more than half of which run on alternative fuel, which includes 475 CNG, 100 ultra-low emission and 126 propane buses. As reported, the district says it has the largest fleet of CNG-powered school buses in the U.S., operating CNG fueling stations on San Julian Street and Gardena and one in Sun Valley.

“LA Unified has made great strides over the past few years by incorporating alternative-fueled vehicles into their fleet. The addition of Thomas Built’s Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG school buses paves the way for other school districts to deploy Type C CNG buses into their own fleets,” says Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “LA Unified trusts CNG, and we are proud that they’ve chosen Thomas Built Buses as their supplier.”

According to Thomas Built Buses, the new Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG utilizes the Cummins Westport ISB6.7 G, 6.7-liter natural gas engine and an Allison 2000 series transmission. It is California Air Resources Board (ARB)-certified; meets ARB’s optional low oxides of nitrogen standard of 0.1 g/bhp-hr; and meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2016 emissions and 2017 EPA greenhouse-gas requirements.

Thomas Built introduced its first CNG bus nearly 20 years ago. Today, Thomas Built offers the new Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG, along with other green fuel options, including the Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Minotour, Saf-T-Liner C2 Propane, Saf-T-Liner HDX CNG, Minotour Propane, and Minotour CNG.

https://ngtnews.com/los-angeles-scho...-new-cng-buses