Aemetis Biogas Starts Production From Tenth Dairy Digester With Additional Digesters in Final Stages of Commissioning and Construction

Rhea-AI Summary

Aemetis Biogas has commenced production from its tenth dairy digester, processing waste from a dairy in Stanislaus County, California. Five additional digesters are nearing commissioning, expanding operations to twelve digesters processing waste from sixteen dairies. This will increase Aemetis' renewable natural gas (RNG) production capacity by 80% to 550,000 MMBtu per year by 2025. This month, Aemetis expects to generate $11.5 million from investment tax credits from previous projects, with an additional $10 million expected from new digesters. Seven existing digesters are in the final verification process for California Air Resources Board (CARB) pathway approval under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which could double LCFS credit revenues. Aemetis has agreements with 49 dairies to supply waste for its Central Dairy Project, funded by $50 million in USDA loans, with another $75 million in loans pending. When fully operational, the project is expected to produce over 1.6 million MMBtu per year of RNG, generating $250 million in annual revenues.

Positive

• RNG production capacity projected to increase by 80% to 550,000 MMBtu per year.
• $11.5 million expected from investment tax credits this month.
• Additional $10 million in tax credits anticipated from new digesters in Q1 2025.
• Potential doubling of LCFS credit revenues with CARB pathway approval.
• Agreements with 49 dairies ensure steady waste supply.
• Project funded by $50 million in USDA loans, with $75 million pending.

Negative

• No immediate negative aspects reported.

Insights

Financial Analyst

This operational update marks significant revenue growth potential for Aemetis. The expansion to 10 operational digesters with 5 more in final stages will increase RNG production capacity by 80% to 550,000 MMBtu annually. The immediate financial impact includes $11.5 million in tax credits this month and an additional $10 million expected in Q1 2025. The anticipated CARB pathway approval could double LCFS credit revenues through improved carbon intensity scores. With $50 million in USDA loans secured and $75 million more in process, the company has strong funding for expansion. The projected $250 million annual revenue at full capacity represents substantial growth from current operations.

Environmental Policy Expert

The environmental impact metrics are compelling, with carbon intensity scores expected to improve from -150 to -380, significantly enhancing the project's value under California's LCFS program. The 20-year qualification for avoided methane credits through 2045 provides long-term regulatory certainty. With 49 dairies committed to supply waste, this project demonstrates scalable methane capture infrastructure. The expansion from 300,000 to 550,000 MMBtu annually represents meaningful progress in renewable natural gas production, with further growth potential to 1.6 million MMBtu. This aligns perfectly with California's aggressive climate goals and positions Aemetis as a key player in agricultural methane reduction.

Renewable Natural Gas Production Capacity Expected to Increase by 80% to 550,000 MMBtu of RNG per Year From Twelve Digesters Processing Waste From Sixteen Dairies

CUPERTINO, CA, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on low and negative carbon intensity products, announced today that its Aemetis Biogas subsidiary started producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from its tenth anaerobic digester built to process waste from a dairy in Stanislaus County, California.  The newly constructed digesters for five additional dairies are in final stages of commissioning and construction, which is scheduled to expand the total Aemetis Biogas operations to twelve digesters processing waste from sixteen dairies.  Combined, the digesters are designed to produce an estimated 550,000 MMBtu per year of RNG in year 2025, an 80% increase from the current production capacity of 300,000 MMBtu per year.

This month, Aemetis also expects to generate an estimated $11.5 million from the sale of investment tax credits from the construction of dairy digesters and other projects earlier this year. The new digester completed today and the additional digesters under construction are expected to generate additional investment tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act currently estimated at approximately $10 million of additional proceeds from tax credits to be sold during Q1 2025.

Separately, seven of the company’s existing operating dairy digesters are now in the final verification process for California Air Resources Board (CARB) pathway approval under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).  The temporary pathway for dairy biogas under the LCFS is -150 carbon intensity.  Aemetis expects the approved pathways will average -380 carbon intensity, resulting in approximately a 100% increase in LCFS credit revenues from the generation of additional LCFS credits.  LCFS Pathway approval from CARB is expected in the first half of 2025.  In the recent adoption by CARB of air emissions mandates through year 2045, Aemetis RNG production is expected to qualify for 20 years of avoided methane credits under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard in California.

“Aemetis Biogas is on track to increase RNG production by about 80%, including the dairy digester that began operation today and those projects nearing completion,” stated Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “We are pleased with the rapid acceleration of revenue growth from new digesters, which generate revenues from LCFS credits and Renewable Fuel Standard D3 RINs.”

Aemetis digesters are connected to an existing 36-mile Aemetis biogas pipeline, feeding the central RNG production facility located at the Aemetis Keyes ethanol plant near Modesto. To date, 49 dairies have signed agreements with Aemetis Biogas to supply waste to existing and planned dairy digesters in the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Project.

The buildout of the dairy digesters and other facilities in the Aemetis Biogas project has been funded by $50 million of USDA guaranteed loans with 20-year repayment terms under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  An additional $75 million of USDA guaranteed loans are currently in process.

Prior to the additional dairy digester started today, Aemetis generated biogas from nine anaerobic digesters fed by ten dairies with a production capacity of approximately 300,000 MMBtu per year of RNG. After upcoming completion of three new digesters processing waste from six additional dairies, Aemetis expects to produce approximately 550,000 MMBtu of RNG per year from 12 digesters processing waste from 16 dairies.

When fully operational, the dairies in the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Project are expected to produce more than 1.6 million MMBtu per year of RNG and generate annual revenues of $250 million.

About Aemetis

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is a renewable natural gas, renewable fuel and biochemicals company focused on the operation, acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace petroleum-based products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2006, Aemetis is operating and actively expanding a California biogas digester network and pipeline system to convert dairy waste gas into Renewable Natural Gas. Aemetis owns and operates a 65 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in California’s Central Valley near Modesto that supplies about 80 dairies with animal feed. Aemetis owns and operates a 80 million gallon per year production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin for customers in India and Europe. Aemetis is developing the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel fuel biorefinery in California to utilize renewable hydrogen, hydroelectric power, and renewable oils to produce low carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel. For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events or other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections of financial results in 2024 and future years; statements relating to the development, engineering, financing, construction and operation of the Aemetis ethanol, biogas, SAF and renewable diesel, and carbon sequestration facilities; and our ability to promote, develop and deploy technologies to produce renewable fuels and biochemicals. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “showing signs,” “targets,” “view,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and predictions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking statements and related assumptions due to certain factors, including, without limitation, competition in the ethanol, biodiesel and other industries in which we operate, commodity market risks including those that may result from current weather conditions, financial market risks, customer adoption, counter-party risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of these forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.

External Investor Relations
Contact:
Kirin Smith
PCG Advisory Group
(646) 863-6519
ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

Company Investor Relations/
Media Contact:
Todd Waltz
 (408) 213-0940
investors@aemetis.com

FAQ

What is the expected increase in Aemetis' RNG production capacity?

Aemetis expects to increase its RNG production capacity by 80% to 550,000 MMBtu per year by 2025.

How much revenue is Aemetis expecting from investment tax credits this month?

Aemetis expects to generate $11.5 million from investment tax credits from previous projects this month.

What is the significance of CARB pathway approval for Aemetis?

CARB pathway approval under the LCFS could result in a 100% increase in LCFS credit revenues for Aemetis.

How many dairies have agreements with Aemetis Biogas?

Aemetis Biogas has agreements with 49 dairies to supply waste for its Central Dairy Project.

What are the funding sources for Aemetis' biogas project?

The project is funded by $50 million in USDA loans, with an additional $75 million in loans currently pending.