Aemetis Set to Launch Phase 2 Biogas Production by Completing Dairy Biogas Digester and Successfully Testing 7-mile Biogas Pipeline Connecting the Next 5 Digester Sites

Rhea-AI Summary

Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) has announced the completion of key developments in its Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Project, including the construction of a third dairy digester and testing of a biogas pipeline. The $12 million facility will convert dairy biogas into renewable natural gas (RNG), with injection into the PG&E pipeline expected in early May 2022. The initiative aims to capture over 1.6 million MMBtu of dairy methane annually, significantly reducing CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 1 million cars from the road. This expansion is part of Aemetis' strategy to meet increasing demand for carbon-negative fuels.

Positive

• Completion of construction and testing of the biogas pipeline and digester for RNG production.
• Expected injection of RNG into PG&E pipeline in early May 2022.
• The project will capture over 1.6 million MMBtu of methane, reducing greenhouse emissions equivalent to 5 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually.
• Expansion includes plans for an additional 10 dairy digesters to meet rising demand for low-emission fuels.

Negative

• None.

Injection of RNG into Utility Pipeline Expected in Early May After PG&E Interconnection Testing Completed

CUPERTINO, CA, April 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable fuels company focused on negative carbon intensity products, announced that its Aemetis Biogas subsidiary is ready to launch Phase 2 biogas production by completing construction of its 3rd dairy digester and successfully testing the 7-mile biogas pipeline section to be used by the next 5 dairy digesters in Phase 2 of the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Project.

Testing was recently completed for the $12 million dairy biogas-to-RNG upgrading and compression facility which is co-located at the Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes ethanol plant near Modesto, California and adjacent to the utility natural gas pipeline. The PG&E utility gas pipeline interconnection unit has been constructed and is now being tested by PG&E.  The conversion of biogas to RNG and the injection of RNG into the PG&E pipeline is expected in early May 2022, once PG&E has completed testing.

“Completing the construction and filling of the first dairy digester in Phase 2 of the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy project is a major step in our schedule to produce RNG in May for gas delivery into storage while we complete the CARB pathway approval process for LCFS credit generation,” stated Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.  “In addition to the three completed dairy digesters and more than 16 miles of biogas pipeline that we have built, Aemetis is in construction or final engineering to add the next 10 dairy digesters to our network to meet increasing demand for lower cost, low emission, carbon negative RNG to replace petroleum diesel in trucks, buses and other heavy transport vehicles.”

When fully built out, the planned 60+ dairies in the estimated $380 million Aemetis biogas project are expected to capture more than 1.6 million MMBtu of dairy methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to an estimated 5 million metric tonnes of CO2 each year, equal to removing the CO2 emissions from more than 1 million cars per year.                                                                                                                                   

About Aemetis

Aemetis has a mission to transform renewable energy with below zero carbon intensity transportation fuels. Aemetis has launched the Carbon Zero production process to decarbonize the transportation sector using today’s infrastructure. 

Aemetis Carbon Zero products include zero carbon fuels that can “drop in” to be used in airplane, truck, and ship fleets. Aemetis low-carbon fuels have substantially reduced carbon intensity compared to standard petroleum fossil-based fuels across their lifecycle. 

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is a renewable natural gas, renewable fuel and biochemicals company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace petroleum-based products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2006, Aemetis has completed Phase 1 and is 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 also owns and operates a 50 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 Carbon Zero sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel fuel biorefineries in California to utilize distillers corn oil and other renewable oils to produce low carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel using cellulosic hydrogen from waste orchard and forest wood, while pre-extracting cellulosic sugars from the waste wood to be processed into high value cellulosic ethanol at the Keyes plant. Aemetis holds a portfolio of patents and exclusive technology licenses to produce renewable fuels and biochemicals.  For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events or other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements relating to the development and construction of the biogas upgrading and compression facility, construction and operation of the biogas pipeline, construction of dairy digesters, our compliance with governmental programs, and our ability to access markets and funding to execute our business plan.  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 Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in our subsequent 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 purpose of Aemetis' biogas project?

The project aims to convert dairy waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce low-carbon fuels.

When is the RNG expected to be injected into the PG&E pipeline?

The injection of RNG into the PG&E pipeline is expected to occur in early May 2022, pending completion of PG&E's testing.

How much methane does the Aemetis biogas project aim to capture?

The project is expected to capture over 1.6 million MMBtu of dairy methane annually.

What environmental impact will the Aemetis biogas project have?

The project is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by an equivalent of 5 million metric tonnes annually, comparable to removing over 1 million cars from the road.

What are the next steps for Aemetis after the completion of the current biogas phase?

Aemetis plans to construct an additional 10 dairy digesters to expand its biogas production capabilities in response to increasing demand.