NYC MTA issues RFP for ultra-low-carbon RNG

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) issued a request for proposals to purchase ultra-low-carbon renewable natural gas (RNG) to fuel some 800 New York City buses currently running on compressed natural gas (CNG). It represents the first step any heavy-duty vehicle fleet in New York City has taken towards adopting RNG.

“This fuel shift will make the MTA a clear national leader in the use of the cleanest, lowest-carbon fuel available today,” said Matt Tomich, president of the NGO Energy Vision.

According to the California Air Resources Board, RNG is the lowest carbon vehicle fuel available, and when made in anaerobic digesters from food wastes or manures and used as a transportation fuel, it is net carbon-negative over its lifecycle. RNG production prevents methane biogases emitted as organic materials decay from escaping into the atmosphere and having a powerful climate-warming impact.

MTA plans to replace the equivalent of 12 to 14 million gallons of CNG a year with RNG.  That will put over 650,000 tons of organic waste to beneficial use: reducing lifecycle carbon emissions of MTA’s CNG buses by some 40,000 tons a year, and helping New York State meet its goal of reducing GHG emissions 40% by 2030. Switching to RNG requires no conversion of buses, engines or fueling infrastructure, so it will not increase the fleet’s costs and may save it money.