California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
IN-3: Innovation 3

BIOMETHANE INITIATIVE and SUMMIT The Lyle Center Biomethane Initiative builds on its reputation as a leader in advancing environmental sustainability, the capacity of Cal Poly Pomona as a large polytechnic university, and its strong connections to waste and energy organizations. The broad-based initiative addresses technical, environmental and economic aspects of biomethane development and application in California. With this initiative The Lyle Center seeks to: • Establish a biomethane purification testing and demonstration facility to support research and development of purification technology and provide independent testing of purification technology for large-scale operations. • Contribute to our understanding of the environmental impact of biomethane utilization, including greenhouse gas emissions, life-cycle analysis of purified biomethane, and other potential environmental consequences. • Further our understanding of economic impacts of biomethane development in California, including cost effectiveness of technology, impact on state and local economy, and statewide availability of biomethane from various sources In October 2011 the Lyle Center hosted the Waste-to-Energy Summit. California policy makers, energy and waste industry leaders, and energy consumers addressed the opportunities of biomethane purification as a viable supplement to natural gas. Given this local, renewable energy source and its importance to California’s economy and environment, panelist addressed dominating scientific, social and policy drivers and worked to formulate next steps in the development of this University initiative. Participants Include: Grace Napolitano, Congresswoman, 38th District Roger Hernandez, Assemblyman, 57th District Andrew S. Dale, Engineer, HDR, Inc. Ron Goodman, Manager of BioFuels Market Development Southern California Gas Company Frank J. Mazanec, Managing Director, Biofuels Energy David Perez, President, Valley Vista Services, Inc. Martin Pomerantz, Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, Cal Poly Pomona Chuck White, Director, Regulatory Affairs/West, Waste Management Evan Williams, President, Cambrian Energy http://www.csupomona.edu/~crs/documents/biomethane_initiative.pdf http://wastetoenergy2011.eventbrite.com/