California Bill Expands Definition of RNG

BioRefineries/Renewable Fuel Production, California, Feedstocks, Forestry/Wood/Residues/Waste, Manure, Methane/Biogas, Not Agriculture, Opinions, Policy, Sustainability

October 16, 2020

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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Sept. 30 that significantly expands the definition of renewable natural gas (RNG) to include energy that comes from additional forms of organic waste, including vegetation removed for wildfire mitigation.

The bill, AB 3163, was introduced in February. The California Assembly approved the bill by a vote of 52 to 11 in June. The state Senate passed the legislation in late August by a vote of 31 to seven. Newsom signed the bill on Sept. 30.

With the expanded definition of RNG in the bill, pipeline-qualify RNG can be made from methane produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic material, including codigestion. The methane can also be produced from the non-combustion thermal conversion of agricultural crop residues; bark, lawn, yard, and garden clippings; leaves, silvicultural residue, and tree and brush prunings; wood, wood chips, and wood waste; nonrecyclable pulp or nonrecyclable paper materials; livestock waste; and municipal sewage sludge or biosolids.

The legislation is expected to increase the availability of RNG while also helping California manage wildfires by reducing debris and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

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“In the last five years alone, RNG use as a transportation fuel has increased almost 600 percent, helping displace diesel in trucks, consistent with Governor Newsom’s goal. And RNG could displace even more.” (SoCalGas)

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Additional information on the bill is available on the California Legislature website. READ MORE

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