Clean Energy's Iowa RNG Facility Sparks Sustainable Fuel Production

By Andi Anderson

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced the successful completion of its newest renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, Marshall Ridge Dairy, located in Marshall County, Iowa. This facility, developed by Dynamic Renewables and financed through one of Clean Energy's production joint ventures, is expected to produce 1.7 million gallons per year (gpy) of low carbon-intensity RNG.

Key Highlights:

Facility Details:

The three-digester facility in State Center, Iowa, is now in operation, producing pipeline quality RNG and injecting it into the national grid.

Production Capacity:

Marshall Ridge Dairy is anticipated to generate 1.7 million gpy of RNG, derived from approximately 240,000 gallons of manure produced daily by an 8,000-cow herd.

Carbon Reduction Impact:

RNG, a sustainable fuel produced from organic waste, provides an immediate and substantial carbon reduction in the transportation sector.

Financial Investment:

The project, totaling $42 million, signifies Clean Energy's commitment to advancing sustainable fuel solutions and addressing harmful fugitive emissions.

Environmental Credits:

Clean Energy is in the process of filing necessary applications to generate federal and state environmental credits, further contributing to its environmental impact.

Clay Corbus, Senior Vice President for Renewables at Clean Energy, highlighted the collaborative effort with forward-thinking farmers and the transformative impact of RNG in addressing emissions. Marshall Ridge Dairy's RNG production aligns with Clean Energy's mission to decarbonize commercial transport and utilize organic waste for clean fuel.

Kevin Blood, from Marshall Ridge Dairy, emphasized the farm's core commitment to dairy production while recognizing the additional revenue stream and improved manure management facilitated by the RNG facility.

As agriculture accounts for nearly 10% of US greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation adds another 28%, RNG production from farm waste becomes a pivotal strategy in lowering overall emissions. Clean Energy's RNG, with its negative carbon-intensity score, proves to be an environmentally conscious alternative in the pursuit of sustainable fuel solutions.

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