With the commissioning of its newest dairy biomethane cluster in Hilmar, CalBio now operates 7 clusters located across California’s San Joaquin Valley. Clusters are groups of digesters that share a centralized gas clean-up facility, where the captured dairy biogas is upgraded and then injected into a natural gas pipeline. In addition to clusters, CalBio is advancing the development of virtual pipeline projects and digester projects that produce clean electricity for dairies separated geographically from other farms.
CalBio has utilized the important methane reduction programs of the California Air Resources Board, California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has worked closely with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. CalBio is accomplishing the following by building and operating dairy digesters:
• The annual production capacity of over 5 million MMBtus of ultra-negative carbon intensity renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity from captured dairy methane.
• The reduction of dairy methane emissions corresponding to removing 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year – which is equal to removing approximately 430,000 gasoline cars from the road.
• The reduction of odors and advancement of local air quality while also producing enhanced crop fertilizer for approximately 80,000 farmable acres.
• The certification of 48 Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credit pathways by the California Air Resources Board.
• The creation of full-time jobs that benefit California communities, including specialized biogas technicians and operators to manage system performance.
• The commitment of over $700,000 to low-income housing initiatives and local community colleges and universities, including scholarship and research programs for accomplished students.
“Completing thirty dairy digester projects in 2024, bringing our total to eighty-six, extends our leadership and demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy solutions that benefit family farms, our communities and the environment,” said N. Ross Buckenham, Chairman and CEO of CalBio. “Farmers have learned that our projects work. And farmers and investors know that we deliver projects on time and on budget. Our experienced team of professionals proudly make things happen for both dairy farmers and the environment.”
Through strategic partnerships with dairy farmers and capital investors, CalBio plans to continue developing digesters in California as well as other leading dairy states across the country.
“This milestone is a true testament to the hard work done by all members of the CalBio team, our valued consultants, and expert contractors,” said David De Groot, COO of CalBio. “However, our hard work would be futile without the significant support provided by our dairy farmer partners. Their insightful collaboration and willingness to do their part to improve the environment has been essential to the projects’ success. We look forward to operating these projects safely and efficiently while expanding partnerships with additional dairies in years to come and helping California achieve its methane reduction goals.”
