Richard Nemec began writing for NGI in 1995 and has 30 years experience in the energy industry. He holds BA from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and a MA in journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; and completed MBA courses at Northwestern's Evening Graduate School of Management.
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Articles from Rich Nemec
U.S. RNG Production, Sites Accelerate in 2020
Renewable natural gas (RNG) volumes and production sites increased significantly over the past two years in the United States, an assessment that comes as advocates are searching for ways to expand even further. Consultancy Energy Vision LLC completed a report in December in conjunction with the Argonne National Laboratory, which found a 42% increase in…
January 7, 2021
SoCalGas in Tussle with California Regulators on Electrification, Penalties for Using Ratepayer Funds
Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is punching back against an attempt by state regulators that would force the utility to pay a hefty fine for using ratepayer funds to allegedly influence state building codes favoring electrification. The California Public Advocates Office (CalPA) at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asked that SoCalGas be…
January 5, 2021
California Eyes 2021 for Advancing Electrification; Changes in Gas Use
The new year is shaping up as the time California may show its cards to unleash the most aggressive climate change-driven energy agenda in the nation, which includes gas, but “natural gas” specifically is not included in the long-term plans. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is sharing responsibility on several decarbonization and electrification initiatives with…
January 4, 2021
Omnibus Budget Bill Includes Push for NGVs in Public Transit
Natural gas vehicle (NGV) use would be encouraged under a competitive grant program included in the $2.3 trillion omnibus spending and Covid-19 relief package signed by President Trump on Sunday (Dec. 27). The legislative package includes a directive to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to divert its recent emphasis on electric vehicles (EV) to refocus…
December 30, 2020
California Resources Garners Climate Accolades; CEO Departing at Year-End
California’s largest oil producer, which cleared Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this year, has gained national recognition for its decarbonization efforts just as its CEO Todd Stevens, 53, is leaving. Under the global environmental disclosure system administered by the non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), California Resources Corp. (CRC) has received an “A-” rating for its…
December 28, 2020
California Undaunted by FERC Staff Critique of Rolling Blackouts
California’s grid operator this week brushed off recent FERC staff criticism of its handling of last summer’s heat wave that resulted in state-ordered rolling blackouts throughout the nation’s most populous state last Aug. 14-15. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s staff concluded that the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) overestimated the capacity available from demand response…
December 28, 2020
Inslee Proposes Washington Go Electric, but Natural Gas Seeking to Remain Relevant
With an anti-fossil fuel push across the Pacific Northwest, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recently rolled out a climate change program that focuses on electrification to decarbonize. Inslee’s proposal comes in the wake of anticipated legislation next year to create a cap-and-trade program and a low-carbon fuel standard. Lawmakers earlier this year had directed the state…
December 24, 2020
Clean Energy Fuels Partners with Supermajors on Renewable Natural Gas
A major distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG) for transportation has crafted separate partnerships with global supermajors BP plc and Total SE to expand U.S. production of the potentially carbon-negative fuel. Newport Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create a 50/50 joint venture with Total…
December 23, 2020
Sempra Utilities OK’d to Begin Voluntary RNG Pilot for California Customers
California has authorized Sempra Energy’s two state utilities to begin a three-year voluntary pilot program that would offer renewable natural gas (RNG) to residential and small commercial/industrial customers. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E) were approved to begin the $2 million demonstration by the California Public Utilities Commission…
December 22, 2020
SoCalGas’ Exploration of Hydrogen Blending Moves Forward with Field Test, Demonstration Program
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) recently revealed separate field test and demonstration programs to clear the way for commercial-scale blending of hydrogen into its gas distribution system. The Sempra Energy subsidiary plans to begin a two-year field test in March at its engineering facility east of downtown Los Angeles, examining a new technology that can…
December 21, 2020