And one of the Congressional leaders most committed to addressing this significant methane challenge, Congressman Paul D. Tonko of New York (D, 20th congressional district) received the first energy leadership award at Energy Vision’s 15th annual leadership awards ceremony.
The event took place (virtually, due to COVID) on October 19th, with more than 120 guests. Business, environmental and government leaders tuned in to see us recognize our 2021 awardees for their achievements in advancing organic waste-to-fuel (renewable natural gas) projects. Other Leadership Award recipients included the City of Topeka, Generate Capital, and Glenfiddich/William Grant & Sons.
Congressman Tonko, who was recognized for a Lifetime of Achievement in clean energy and clean transportation leadership, said, “I’m committed to making certain that we address this country’s methane challenge.” He in turn recognized Energy Vision’s role in advancing the clean fuels strategy of converting organic wastes to renewable natural gas (RNG). “Thank you for the encouragement and for striking such a deep awareness that we can be resourceful, that we can take certain situations – in life and business –and turn them into productive outcomes that enable a more robust, more fair, more just, more sustainable economy. Thank you for providing that vision for us.”
The City of Topeka received the evening’s second award, for an RNG production facility it has completed at its largest wastewater treatment plant. Topeka seeks to be among the first wave of municipalities adopting the RNG strategy, which offers not just environmental, but also economic benefits to the mid-size capital city.
Generate Capital was recognized for its growing network of anaerobic digesters in the US and Canada that turn over 275, 000 tons of food waste a year into RNG, electricity, and fertilizer. Its goal, the company’s group president Bill Caesar noted, was to address barriers to deploying sustainable infrastructure at the scale and scope required to meet today’s climate challenges.
The final award went to Glenfiddich, the world’s first spirits brand whose whiskey-mash-based waste-to-fuel program is powering a portion of its delivery truck fleet with biogas produced at its own Glasgow distillery. This closed-loop operation has reduced the company’s carbon dioxide emissions from the four trucks now running on RNG by a whopping 95% compared to diesel.
The awards ceremony, which enabled our guests to learn about these projects and people, was followed by a virtual “fireside chat” that gave attendees a unique opportunity to talk directly with the 2021 awardees.
