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Clean Energy Fuels Corp has officially broken ground on three innovative renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities as part of a strategic collaboration with Maas Energy Works. This initiative spans six dairies located in South Dakota, Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico, with an ambitious goal of generating approximately three million gallons of RNG each year once fully operational.

The project is set to capture methane emissions from a combined herd of 24,300 dairy cows, effectively mitigating harmful greenhouse gases that would otherwise enter the atmosphere. The RNG produced will serve as a vital energy source for heavy-duty trucking, transit, and vocational fleets across the nation, thereby contributing to a cleaner transportation network powered by negative carbon fuel.

"Partnering with an industry leader like Maas Energy Works will enable us to quickly bring meaningful volumes of ultraclean fuel to the transportation market," stated Clay Corbus, Senior Vice President of Renewables at Clean Energy. He emphasized the growing demand for RNG among fleets aiming to decarbonize, underscoring the significance of these production facilities in addressing that need.

Maas Energy Works employs a unique covered lagoon system for RNG production, contrasting sharply with traditional anaerobic digesters that are often costly to construct and maintain. This innovative method captures methane from manure stored in large, tarp-covered lagoons, offering a more economical and efficient solution for both manure collection and RNG generation.

With an estimated investment of $80 million, Clean Energy has committed to advancing these three RNG projects, all of which have demonstrated strong economic viability through rigorous diligence. The projects are on target for completion by 2026, while Clean Energy retains the option to develop additional projects in the future as market conditions evolve.

The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated, considering that agriculture contributes nearly 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with the transportation sector accounting for another 28 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By capturing methane from agricultural waste and utilizing it as a transportation fuel, RNG offers a substantial reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel. This unique characteristic positions RNG as one of the few fuels eligible for a negative carbon intensity score, reflecting its potential to reduce emissions both at the source and during vehicle operation.