In This Issue
Renewable natural gas
Upcoming Events
Funding opportunities
Renewable Natural Gas
Natural Gas is one of the cleanest burning fuels available today for use in vehicles. Using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in heavy duty vehicles produces 27% less carbon dioxide emissions and emits 13-17% less greenhouse gases than diesel. (NGVAmerica) Natural gas traditionally comes from deposits underground, but it can also be made from renewable resources.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is made by processing biogas that has been produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. This organic matter can be animal manure, landfill waste, solids from wastewater and food waste. RNG created from these sources is fully interchangeable with natural gas and can be used in place of CNG as a vehicle fuel and more.
RNG is considered carbon-neutral, or even carbon negative, because its production process can capture more greenhouse gases than it emits. Decaying matter from landfills, wastewater treatment plants and livestock manure can release large amounts of harmful methane into the atmosphere. By capturing and using the biogas produced by these sources, RNG operations can significantly lower these greenhouse gas emissions.
RNG in Arizona
Dairy farms including Butterfield, Milky Way and Paloma are turning cow manure from their farms into RNG.
Butterfield and Milky Way farms are each estimated to generate over 300,000 MMBtu of RNG each year. (Avolta)
Annually, the Paloma Dairy’s RNG project is expected to prevent the release of 54,000 tons of carbon emissions the environment. (Southwest Gas)
Phoenix’s 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant is also producing RNG and is estimated to reduce over 44,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. (Ameresco)
Arizona cities are also taking advantage of the benefits of RNG. The City of Phoenix is now using RNG in its CNG fleet vehicles and the city of Mesa is constructing a system to use the biogas from the City's Northwest Water Treatment Plant (NWWRP) to fuel the City's solid waste vehicles.
Renewable natural gas is a source of energy and fuel that is being explored by many as the country works towards a carbon neutral future.
Upcoming Events
School Bus Fleet ConneX (SBFX)
September 20-22, 2023 | Scottsdale, AZ
Event meant to connect public and private school transportation service providers with product and service suppliers for an exchange of information, ideas and solutions.
Learn more : https://www.schoolbusfleetconnex.com/
Work Truck eXchange
September 18-20 2023 | Scottsdale, AZ
Work Truck eXchange (WTX) connects commercial fleet managers responsible for light- and medium-duty truck and van fleets with industry suppliers at multi day networking event.
Learn More: https://www.worktruckex.com/
Funding Announcements
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
The deadline for full applications for the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) Ride and Drive Electric Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) has been extended to Aug. 25, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.
Read the Joint Office news item to learn more about the extended FOA deadline.
Inflation Reduction Act Funding From Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program (PACE)
USDA Rural Development program to help make clean, affordable, and reliable energy accessible to the people of rural America. Rural Utilities Service program to forgive a percentage of loans for specific renewable energy projects. Letters of Interest (Required): Open- Letters of interest due September 29, 2023.
Empowering Rural America Program (New ERA)
USDA Rural Development program to help rural Americans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy by reducing air and water pollution. Funding improves health outcomes and lower energy costs for people in rural communities. Letter of Interest (Required): Opens 7/31/2023New
ERA Application Webinars
August 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_yTUw6QaXQ8qLJiiSpdhH7A
August 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_OWeQS-HUTC69S36SV7rJSw
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
USDA Rural Development program provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant Program
USDA Rural Development program to award grants to eligible entities to provide services to assist potential Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applicants in submitting complete applications. Funding Announcement. Application Deadline: 8/15/2023
Member Spotlight
Arizona Public Service- APS
Arizona Public Service provides electricity to 1.3 million customers across Arizona. The utility is committed to providing affordable and reliable energy to its customers while also doing their part to advance the use of clean energy. APS has set a goal of providing 100% clean carbon-free energy to its customers by the year 2050. They are well on their way to achieving this goal as they already provide 51% clean energy to users in their region. The company is also helping its customers adopt clean energy by providing support and incentives for EV’s and energy efficient upgrades and practices. A good example of this is the utility’s Take Charge Program. This program is working to expand EV infrastructure by installing free or low cost EV charging stations at select locations and has already installed 5 public DC fast chargers at key locations across the state. Learn more about APS and its commitment to clean energy, community and sustainability by visiting their website.
VSCCC strives to provide alternative fuel information to all people within our region. In order to increase our outreach abilities we are working with local agencies to share our newsletter and clean fuel resources with an even greater audience. We are proud to partner with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona's Air Quality Department, ASU's Sustainable Cities Network and Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Our Newsletter Is Also Available in Spanish!
Translations done by Diego Montemayor- diego@cleanairaz.org
