Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Brightmark Fund Holdings LLC, partnered together under a joint venture, have announced the delivery of its first renewable natural gas (RNG) for lower carbon-intensity transportation fuel from its Larson Project in Okeechobee County, Florida.
The Larson Project uses four lagoon anaerobic digesters located at Larson Family farms to capture methane from cow manure and convert it into RNG. The produced RNG is used as transportation fuel, and the remaining solids are transformed into organic fertilizer. Additionally, any recaptured water is returned directly to the farm, where the digester is located, for reuse.
"We are excited to achieve this milestone in our first joint renewable natural gas project in Florida with Brightmark and a notable farming family," said Nuray Elci, General Manager of Renewables in Chevron's Americas Products business. "These projects support the production of affordable and reliable energy and help accelerate lower carbon solutions."
The project delivers several economic and environmental benefits, including:
- Odor mitigation
- Air quality, soil stabilization, and nutrient control
- Improvements to the economics of dairy farming
- Reduction in the carbon intensity of agricultural practices
In addition, through this project, Brightmark will be able to prevent over 57,000 tons of CO2eq from being released into the atmosphere every year – the equivalent of planting over 75,000 acres of forest annually.
"This 'first gas' milestone with Larson Family Farms is a testament to the power that a circular solution like anaerobic digestion has to dramatically reduce methane emissions and promote economic development in local communities," remarked Bob Powell, Founder and CEO of Brightmark. "Our collaboration with Chevron and Larson demonstrates the continued growth of the RNG market propelled by the agricultural and food waste industry."
