Groundbreaking Renewable Natural Gas Initiative in California
VICTORVILLE, California & BURLINGTON, Ontario — In a significant development for renewable energy, Anaergia Inc. (TSX: ANRG; OTCQX: ANRGF) has received conditional approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for a long-term biomethane procurement contract involving Anaergia’s SoCal Biomethane LLC facility, Anew Climate LLC, and Southwest Gas. This project marks California’s inaugural supply of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) under Senate Bill 1440.
Pioneering RNG Production
This venture positions Anaergia as a leader in California’s ambitious decarbonization strategy aimed at scaling up RNG sourced from organic waste. Following the targets outlined in Senate Bill 1383, designed to drastically cut organic waste, Senate Bill 1440 now mandates that California’s Investor-Owned Utilities secure RNG from landfill-diverted organic material at a scale equivalent to approximately 55 facilities similar to SoCal Biomethane by 2035.
Facility Specifications and Environmental Impact
Located at the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA), the SoCal Biomethane facility is designed to co-digest organic waste alongside municipal wastewater, resulting in biogas that can be converted to RNG. With a capacity to process up to 104,000 tons of organic waste annually, it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 31,710 metric tons of CO2 equivalent each year. This reduction equates to the emissions produced by around 7,400 gasoline-powered vehicles annually. Additionally, the project is poised to boost local economies in Victorville, Apple Valley, and Hesperia by creating jobs for residents.
Industry Voices
Anaergia’s CEO, Assaf Onn, expressed pride in becoming the first facility to deliver RNG under SB 1440, highlighting the use of existing wastewater facilities to quickly amplify RNG supply as mandated by California legislation.
Ryan Childress, Managing Director of Low Carbon Fuels at Anew Climate, remarked, “Long-term agreements with natural gas utilities support state climate objectives. We commend the CPUC’s leadership in fostering projects that effectively deliver local emissions reductions.”
Darron Poulsen, General Manager of the VVWRA, emphasized the pivotal role that wastewater treatment facilities can play in generating clean energy, stating, “This partnership with Anaergia epitomizes how collaboration can yield substantial impacts.”
Sam Wade, VP of Public Policy for the RNG Coalition, pointed to the SoCal Biomethane facility as a model for California, advocating for the retrofitting of existing plants to process organic waste to foster further reductions in greenhouse gases.
About Anew Climate
Anew Climate, LLC stands as a global leader in climate solutions, advocating for transparency and accountability in reducing emissions and meeting sustainability goals across various sectors. The company operates internationally, with a presence in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and boasts an extensive portfolio of low and negative carbon fuels.
About Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority
The VVWRA services an extensive area in California, processing approximately 12 million gallons of wastewater daily. The facility plays a critical role in improving local environmental health through an effective recycling process that ensures treated wastewater is safely returned to the Mojave River.
About Anaergia
Anaergia is at the forefront of the RNG sector, innovating with hundreds of patented technologies that convert organic waste into sustainable solutions like RNG, fertilizers, and clean water. Committed to reducing significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, Anaergia employs its proprietary technologies, engineering expertise, and extensive experience to lead the industry. The company is acknowledged for delivering innovative projects over the past decade that combine solid waste processing, wastewater treatment, organic recovery, and biomethane production.
Conclusion
The collaboration among Anaergia, Anew Climate, and VVWRA not only demonstrates a strong commitment to renewable energy but also underscores the potential for continued partnerships to advance California’s sustainability goals. This first step in supplying RNG under SB 1440 is crucial for setting a benchmark in the acceleration of renewable energy projects across the state.
For more information on the legislation affecting renewable energy in California, visit California’s official legislative website.
