Longmont will work with three groups — including the University of Virginia — to advance the city’s efforts toward producing more vehicles powered by renewable natural gas.
City Council approved agreements Tuesday night with South Platte Renew, University of Virginia and The Alliance For Sustainable Energy allowing Longmont to participate in a study conducted by National Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL, in Boulder.
NREL approached Longmont to join in the study which is aimed at hiking renewable natural gas (RNG) production, according to a city staff report. The city in March 2020 completed its RNG project which uses biogas generated at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to create renewable vehicle fuel for the city’s Waste Services fleet, the staff report states.
The University of Virginia is leading the research project while South Platte Renew and the city will supply biogas samples and provide expertise and guidance during the project, the staff report states.
The city will not provide any cash support for the project, but rather lend in-kind services, the staff report states. A city civil engineer will participate in monthly project meetings and help facilitate the sampling of biogas/RNG for research and testing.
Longmont will benefit by increasing its own RNG production, Jim Angstadt, the city’s director of engineering services, said via email.
“The increase in RNG volume will lead to additional vehicles being powered by RNG and not regular gas which would lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions related to vehicular fuel consumption,” Angstadt said.
