News Type: Press Release

Advisory Practice Enhances Full Suite of Global Solutions to Support Net Zero Goals

3Degrees, a firm that helps organizations around the world achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals, today announced that it is restructuring its Energy and Climate Practice into two teams, Climate Strategy and Power Markets, and adding several new leadership roles. 

The move comes at a time when the company is experiencing a record number of requests to assist organizations around the world with their net zero commitments, and is designed to ensure the Energy and Climate Practice is increasingly well positioned to offer a full suite of global solutions tailored to every stage along each organization’s decarbonization journey — whether that customer is just getting started and needs assistance setting climate goals, has purchased global EACs to address its Scope 2 emissions and is now ready to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA), or is interested in developing a new carbon project as part of its Scope 3 emissions reduction strategy. 

Climate Strategy Team

Sak Nayagam has joined 3Degrees as Senior Director in the Energy and Climate Practice and will head up the Climate Strategy team. In this role, Sak leads a group of seasoned advisors who help organizations set and meet their global climate goals, including net zero, carbon neutrality, and science-based targets. Prior to his arrival at 3Degrees, Sak most recently held senior positions in energy technology with Baker Hughes, where he was the Global Marketing Director for a digital technology joint venture together with C3.ai. He has also worked as a Consulting Partner with EY in Southeast Asia, and was Head of Climate Change for Accenture across Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Sak is based in London, England, and will play a key role in supporting 3Degrees’ European clientele. 

To further enhance the Climate Strategy team’s capabilities, Katherine Canoy is joining 3Degrees as a Director in the Energy and Climate Practice. Katherine has significant experience in the energy, sustainability, and climate industries, including more than a decade with the Walmart energy division. While at Walmart, Katherine led teams of internal and external stakeholders to manage greenhouse gas reduction projects as part of the company’s goal to reduce supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million metric tons (a precursor to its well-known Project Gigaton), awarded 420 MW of renewable energy contracts, and managed a portfolio of 154 MW of installed onsite solar. Most recently, Katherine was at C2 Energy Capital, a distributed generation solar developer and investor.

Together with Kelly Rytel, a Director in the Energy and Climate Practice, and the rest of the Climate Strategy team, Sak and Katherine will help expand 3Degrees’ global consulting capabilities, providing support for customers who range from the early to more mature stages of the net zero journey, with services that include:

• Goal setting, pathway development, and implementation around net zero, carbon neutrality, and science-based targets
• Renewable energy options assessments
• Scope 1 and 3 emissions reduction strategies and solutions, including carbon and supply chain engagement initiatives 
• Carbon strategy, origination, and procurement
• Fleet decarbonization, electrification, and transportation strategy
• Innovative global projects in renewables and carbon

Power Markets Team

The Power Markets side of the practice will be led by 3Degrees veteran Tyler Espinoza, Senior Director in the Energy and Climate Practice. During his tenure with the company, Tyler has enabled over 2,400 MW of renewable energy through his work on power purchase agreements (PPAs), retail electricity supply, utility green tariffs, and onsite solar and storage solutions for 3Degrees’ customers worldwide. Tyler and Lauren Tatsuno, a Director in the Energy and Climate Practice, will lead the evolution of the Power Markets team as it expands its capabilities to offer tailored renewable energy solutions to meet customers’ global climate goals, including: 

• Corporate PPA procurement 
• Renewable retail electricity supply procurement
• Renewable energy aggregations
• Utility green tariff program evaluation and design
• Onsite solar and energy storage

“We are thrilled to welcome Sak and Katherine, congratulate Tyler, and announce these exciting changes to support the continued evolution of our Energy and Climate Practice,” said Rebecca Sternberg, VP, Energy and Climate Practice at 3Degrees. “With the addition of these new leadership roles, 3Degrees’ ability to meet the needs of our growing global customer base is stronger than ever. Our team’s collective expertise is a huge asset as we deliver on customers’ increased demand for comprehensive, tailored solutions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.” 

Check out the following resources to learn more about the Pathways to Net Zero Emissions, and how 3Degrees has assisted leading companies with their global renewable energy strategy, PPA, and renewable energy aggregation needs.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to keep up to date on the latest news and industry insights from 3Degrees, or follow us on LinkedIn. 

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3Degrees, a firm that helps organizations achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals, announced today the recent completion of a critical investment to repower a manure digester project at Edaleen Dairy, family-operated farm in Lynden, Washington. 3Degrees worked with Regenis, a dairy digester operator committed to both planetary protection and family farmer livelihood, and Edaleen Dairy to co-finance a new engine and generator to keep the digester power project online and avoiding potent methane emissions.

Anaerobic digesters turn livestock waste into renewable power while avoiding potent methane emissions—meaning they are one of the most essential immediate actions for mitigating climate change. Despite their environmental benefits, many digesters nationwide risk being shut down due to high operating costs. In the Northwest, many aging dairy digester projects cannot afford to continue operation at current electricity prices.

Edaleen partnered with 3Degrees to sell its digester electricity into transportation markets to power electric vehicles. Clean fuel standards, like Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, offer digester projects a new incentive to cover operating costs and continue abating emissions. Given 3Degrees’ expertise in this emerging market, the company pre-purchased credits that will be generated under the clean fuels standards to share the costs of installing a new generator and engine at the dairy.

“Edaleen Dairy has an unshakeable commitment to sustainability, which is why they are an industry leader”, says Bryan Van Loo, Vice President at Regenis. “We are thankful to have such a strong working relationship with Edaleen having constructed their digester in 2012 while operating and maintaining the system from commissioning to today. Now at their ten-year anniversary, the digester has supplied enough clean, emission-free electricity to power 380 local homes, while also improving upon climate, air, and water quality. Regenis is equally pleased to be working with 3Degrees as they and Edaleen Dairy transition towards specific use of the renewable electricity for charging of EV vehicles in Oregon through the Oregon Clean Fuels Program.”

“Our dairy has always been centered on the health of our customers, our community, and our planet because we are a family-run operation who lives in the community we serve,” says Mitch Moorlag, General Manager at Edaleen Dairy Cow Power, LLC. “We take seriously the natural wonders that have been bestowed upon us as do our customers, and we want to pass that inheritance down to future generations. Providing clean energy for electric vehicle charging stations by capturing methane and turning into biogas in our anaerobic digester is a logical progression of that commitment to be good stewards.” 

“Dairy farmers often paid very little for the power they generate from their operationally-complex digester projects,” said Peter Weisberg, Director of Product Development at 3Degrees. “This investment is a great example of how through tailored financing solutions and new environmental markets, we can work with partners to keep these critical emission mitigation projects operational”

About Regenis:

Regenis symbolizes the rebirth of our planet’s reusable organic resources and a commitment to the ethic to leave our land better for the next generation. On a planet with over seven billion people, our mission is to re-imagine reusable resources to create a valuable supply chain of products for farms, food processors and municipalities through the process of anaerobic digestion. Our digesters capture methane (a potent greenhouse gas) from decomposing organic waste and convert it into clean electricity that can be used to power farms and factories, sold to the local utility at a profit or turned into renewable natural gas for trucks and car fleets. Our virtuous cycle leaves nothing to waste, creating a cycle of value for our clients while putting them on the cutting edge of sustainability. Regenis constructed Edaleen Dairy’s digester facility, is contracted to do ongoing O&M services, and is a long term friend and partner to Edaleen Dairy as well as 3Degrees. To learn more about Regenis, please visit their website.  

About Edaleen Dairy:

In 1975, Ed and Aileen Bransma combined their names to create Edaleen Dairy, but what started as a small family company has expanded to six locations. Through the years, Edaleen has been ahead of the curve by combining experience, innovative ideas, and technology. The dairy has a long history of involvement in the surrounding Whatcom County community, and have put their environmental stewardship into action by installing climate-forward technologies, such as anaerobic digesters.

The two industry leaders will now offer all-encompassing climate solutions through accurate emissions data to develop and execute global climate and decarbonization strategies

nZero, the 24/7 carbon management platform that tracks and operationalizes energy, financial and greenhouse gas emissions data to help organizations reach climate change goals, today announced a partnership with 3Degrees, a global renewable energy and climate consulting firm and certified B Corp. Organizations that engage with both services will benefit from this comprehensive partnership that provides accurate emissions data measured on a 24/7 basis and consulting on the best corresponding action to take, helping them to reach their critical net zero goals more efficiently. In addition to their shared customer services, nZero will also leverage the platform for its own emissions footprinting needs, signaling their belief in the important role of accurate emissions data for not only their customers, but their own internal operations, too.

As the pressure mounts for corporations to lead with transparency and accuracy in their greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, the complementary services from nZero and 3Degrees will work in tandem to allow customers to access the best offerings in climate solutions, benefitting from the two services’ individualized approaches to emissions data and reductions. With a current customer base that includes Etsy, Expedia, and Microsoft, 3Degrees helps its clients take urgent action against climate change by advising and implementing GHG reductions strategies across all three scopes of emissions. Services include Energy Attribute Certificate (EAC) transactions, long-term renewable energy procurement, carbon credit portfolio management, transportation decarbonization, and advisory services like goal setting, education, supply chain engagement, and more. Customers that opt in on the joint services will benefit from nZero’s incredibly granular 24/7 emissions data offerings, gaining the most precise and extensive understanding of their Scope 1, 2, and 3 data, as well as have access to 3Degrees’ extensive portfolio of high-quality renewable energy and carbon projects and industry-leading sustainability consulting services.

“Accurate, actionable data is the cornerstone of any credible climate strategy,” said Scott Martin, Head of Global Commercial Business at 3Degrees. “Through partnerships like this, organizations have a more seamless decarbonization journey that bridges nZero’s powerful emission profile insights with 3Degrees’ products and services—making it easier for businesses to take urgent action on climate change.” 

“Each individual organization’s journey to achieving their net zero goals requires a collective, diversified set of solutions, said Adam Kramer, CEO of nZero. “Through this pairing, customers will be able to access both comprehensive emissions data measurement in nZero and a skilled carbon brokering consulting team in 3Degrees to help them create tangible decarbonization policies and roadmaps informed by their data.”

As a certified B Corp committed to rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, 3Degrees has committed to Net Zero by 2030 and plans to utilize the nZero platform to verify its own internal organization’s emissions footprint and reduction progress.

About nZero

nZero is a 24/7 climate management platform that gives companies, cities and communities the accurate emissions data they need to reach net zero and make smart decisions that benefit the health of the planet. Unlike other carbon management offerings who rely on third-party data and opaque averages, nZero gathers accurate, first-party, contextual data into a comprehensive view, making it simple for organizations to pinpoint energy opportunities within their operations, easily implement carbon reduction actions, and spend smarter along the way.

Global climate solutions provider 3Degrees is expanding its footprint to better serve increased demand from organizations responding to the need to take urgent action on climate change around the world. The company is increasing capacity in Europe, a focal point for leading-edge climate work, by adding new local leadership, increasing staffing, and opening a new office in London.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. and operating as a market leader for nearly 20 years, 3Degrees has further expanded its United Kingdom and European climate consulting practice to serve a growing customer base. As organizations seek additional advisory services to develop and execute global climate and decarbonization strategies, 3Degrees is strengthening its teams across Europe to scale its delivery of full-spectrum solutions to meet these critical needs. The company’s new London office joins its existing office in Oslo.

“This expansion is in direct response to rising demand from companies that are accelerating their global decarbonization efforts and setting more aggressive climate targets, such as net zero,” said Steve McDougal, CEO. “This investment in our teams and expanded physical presence in Europe and the U.K. will further solidify 3Degrees’ ability to deliver a full suite of tailored climate solutions to companies with headquarters, operations, and supply chains in Europe and beyond, helping them take immediate action to address their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.”

New leadership and expanded Europe teams for 3Degrees’ Energy and Climate Practice

3Degrees is pleased to welcome Maureen Bray as Senior Director for its climate consulting group, the Energy and Climate Practice, where she will head up the Climate Strategy team in EMEA. In this role, Maureen leads a group of seasoned advisors who help organizations set and meet their global climate goals, including net zero, carbon neutrality, and science-based targets. Maureen brings more than a decade of sustainability management and consultancy leadership to 3Degrees, most recently serving as International Consultancy Director at Schneider Electric.

“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to support the advancement of 3Degrees’ climate consultancy services in EMEA to help our customers set and implement meaningful decarbonization plans,” Maureen said. “The company’s ambition to further expand capabilities in new geographies is exciting and in line with the growth that we’re seeing in the European market, where change is happening at a great pace.”

In addition, longtime 3Degrees’ veteran and Senior Director Tyler Espinoza is relocating to Europe where he will continue to lead the Power Markets side of the consulting practice across all geographies while building out the team in Europe. Tyler will oversee the company’s expanded global capabilities to offer a full range of tailored renewable energy solutions, including the sourcing of corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), renewables in supply chains, and 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy.

With the quickly evolving energy landscape in Europe, Tyler’s presence locally will help 3Degrees deliver expanded advisory support to its customers as they navigate opportunities to maximize the impact of their renewable energy purchases in a way that makes good business sense.

“3Degrees is uniquely positioned to offer our clients a full suite of climate and renewable energy solutions, including PPA implementation and support for their international Energy Attributes Certificate and carbon credit needs,” Tyler said. “Not many organizations can do that and I’m excited to deliver these solutions to our European clients.”

The inaugural Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC) purchase from 2020 is expanding with a new purchase by Microsoft of credits from solar projects in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This agreement, executed by Microsoft and project developer Nuru, with support from Energy Peace Partners (EPP), makes Microsoft the first repeat P-REC buyer and is also the largest P-REC deal transacted to date. The transaction was once again facilitated by 3Degrees, a leading global climate solutions provider that has worked on all P-REC deals to date. The team jointly announced the deal at the Sustainable Energy for All Forum taking place in Kigali, Rwanda this week.

P-RECs are international renewable energy certificates (I-RECs) that support high impact renewable energy projects in fragile, climate vulnerable countries. P-RECs are a supplementary label developed and issued by EPP, certifying the co-benefits associated with the new renewable energy generation.

Microsoft’s initial P-REC purchase funded the installation of public streetlights connected to Nuru’s 1.3MW solar minigrid in the Ndosho neighborhood of Goma. This second purchase expands the project in Ndosho by supporting first-time electricity connections for households, businesses, and social institutions, and deploying additional streetlights that improve nighttime security in the community and allow local businesses and markets to operate during evening hours. The purchase also contributes directly to the financing of Nuru’s new 3.7 MW solar metro-grid anticipated to serve nearly 20,000 direct beneficiaries in Goma. Together, the projects will constitute one of the largest off-grid mini-grids operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, eventually benefitting 125,000 people and raising the average electricity rate from 3% to around 20%.

“By expanding the impact of this project, Microsoft is helping to enable meaningful access to electricity for a large portion of the area’s residents,” said Elizabeth Willmott, Carbon Program Director, Microsoft.

“This transaction contributes meaningfully to delivering on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) to end energy poverty and ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind. We are excited to see the P-REC market contribute to increasing renewable energy access in the DRC and unleashing the full potential of Congolese communities,” said Dave Mozersky, President of Energy Peace Partners. “We are grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Microsoft, 3Degrees and Nuru in helping to extend the renewable energy revolution to communities where it has outsize impact.”

“We are thrilled to close this new P-REC deal with Microsoft, 3Degrees, and Energy Peace Partners. Through our collaboration, we will deploy and operate new renewable energy infrastructure and public streetlights, improving thousands of lives in Goma, DRC,” Jonathan E. Shaw, Co-Founder and CEO, Nuru. “Together our work will continue to inspire and amplify the incredible human capacity in Congo by providing thousands of delighted people with the first-time and world-class energy services that they deserve. These projects will also enable us to decarbonize and green existing energy sources, building climate-resilient and sustainable communities in DRC. Working together with companies like Microsoft, 3Degrees, and Energy Peace Partners is critical for achieving collective impact in DRC. We are excited to renew our relationship through this P-REC purchase and to achieve big results in DRC’s communities together.” 

“We are thrilled to continue to support Microsoft as they further their commitment to Peace RECs with this meaningful second investment in the Goma solar project,” said Steve McDougal, CEO, 3Degrees. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work on renewable energy procurements like this that will ultimately make such a positive, direct difference in the lives of people in that community. We appreciate the partnership with EPP and Nuru and the opportunity to collaborate with them, once again, to help make this largest-ever P-REC transaction a reality.”

About Energy Peace Partners

Energy Peace Partners leverages climate finance solutions to support peace in places affected by violent conflict. We believe that a paradigm shift toward climate-sensitive development can deliver enduring benefits to the planet’s most vulnerable populations. The Energy Peace Partners team brings together expertise in international peacebuilding, renewable energy, and climate security. Our efforts create an enabling environment for introducing renewable energy that can serve as the building blocks for peace.

About Nuru

Nuru is a company dedicated to enhancing connectivity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nuru deployed DRC’s first solar-based mini-grid in 2017 and  a 1.3 MW commercial solar-plus-storage hybrid site in Goma, North Kivu in 2020. Building on this success, Nuru plans to install an additional 14 MW in renewable energy infrastructure in DRC in 2023. Nuru, meaning “light” in Swahili, encapsulates our vision to inspire and catalyze the incredible human potential in Congo by providing 5 million delighted clients with world-class connectivity by September 24, 2024.

The largest Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC) agreement to date, and the first-ever P-REC registration in South Sudan, has been executed by 3Degrees and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from Energy Peace Partners (EPP). In the agreement, 3Degrees obtained the P-RECs generated by the IOM-managed solar plant and transferred them to Block, a fast growing global technology company with a focus on financial services, to further the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and desire to support forward-looking sustainability projects. The pioneering transaction will help support the expansion of P-RECs globally.

The arrangement between 3Degrees and IOM, a United Nations organization, will allow IOM to fund the solar electrification of the Malakal Teaching Hospital, the main healthcare facility serving the city of Malakal and the surrounding region. The city of Malakal was destroyed in the country’s civil war that began in 2013 and now houses one of the largest camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Sudan. Expected to be completed in mid to late 2022, the solar electrification project will enable improved community health services by providing a reliable source of power for the hospital. The P-REC transaction also serves to pilot a funding model that can be replicated by United Nations entities and other international organizations in the field to support humanitarian and peacebuilding initiatives.

P-RECs are international renewable energy certificates (I-RECs) with a supplementary label developed and issued by EPP, which certifies the co-benefits associated with the new renewable energy generation. P-RECs serve as an innovative financing instrument that supports high impact renewable energy projects in fragile, energy poor countries. The first P-REC contract was executed in 2020 by Microsoft, and Block’s purchase now serves as the single largest P-REC acquisition to date.

Under this agreement, EPP will issue the P-RECs generated from a new IOM-managed solar plant that supplies electricity to its Humanitarian Hub at a camp that houses more than 30,000 IDPs outside the city of Malakal in South Sudan. Since 3Degrees and EPP had previously collaborated on the inaugural P-REC project, EPP again approached 3Degrees to help assess project options and navigate the contracting process. 3Degrees then entered into an agreement with IOM to obtain the P-RECs from the solar plant.

“We are grateful to IOM, 3Degrees, and Block for their collaboration and commitment in making this groundbreaking transaction a reality. EPP’s work grew out of efforts to expand renewable energy in South Sudan, one of the most fragile and least electrified countries in the world. This project fulfills the original vision of the P-REC, and we are excited about the positive impact this will have for communities in Malakal,” said Dave Mozersky, President of Energy Peace Partners. “More broadly, this highlights the value of the P-REC in mobilizing private sector actors to support high-impact projects in some of the hardest-to-reach communities.”

“We are thrilled to support another innovative P-REC transaction, which will help make a tangible difference in people’s lives,” said Steve McDougal, CEO, 3Degrees. “More and more, our customers are seeking out ways to make a greater impact through their renewable energy procurement. We applaud Block for their desire to support this meaningful project, and thank Energy Peace Partners and IOM for their partnership and collaboration to make it happen.”

“At IOM, we know we can only reach sustainability at scale by working with partners who share our vision for a greener future,” said Amy Pope, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Management and Reform. “We are thrilled to have partnered with 3Degrees and Energy Peace Partners to implement the first Peace Renewable Energy Credit agreement to date within the United Nations system. This groundbreaking initiative in South Sudan demonstrates that it is possible to transition to cleaner energy in a way that directly benefits the migrants we serve.”

“At Block we are guided by our purpose of economic empowerment and for us, P-RECs represent a unique opportunity to support global financial inclusion through high-impact renewable energy projects,” says Neil Jorgensen, Global ESG Lead at Block.

Existing solar project at the UN Humanitarian Hub in Malakal.
Source: Omar Mohammad Patan at International Organization for Migration (IOM)

About EPP

Energy Peace Partners leverages climate finance solutions to support peace in places affected by violent conflict. We believe that a paradigm shift toward climate-sensitive development can deliver enduring benefits to the planet’s most vulnerable populations. The Energy Peace Partners team brings together expertise in international peacebuilding, renewable energy, and climate security. Our efforts create an enabling environment for introducing renewable energy that can serve as the building blocks for peace.

About IOM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations system and is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. From its roots as an operational logistics agency following the Second World War, it has broadened its scope to become an essential international actor in the field of human mobility, supporting migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration, and a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The Organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.

About Block

Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) is a global technology company with a focus on financial services. Made up of Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL, and TBD, we build tools to help more people access the economy. Square helps sellers run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions, business software, and banking services. With Cash App, anyone can easily send, spend, or invest their money in stocks or Bitcoin. Spiral builds and funds free, open-source Bitcoin projects. Artists use TIDAL to help them succeed as entrepreneurs and connect more deeply with fans. TBD is building an open developer platform to make it easier to access Bitcoin and other blockchain technologies without having to go through an institution.

3Degrees, a firm that helps organizations achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals, announced today several notable advancements in the use of hydrogen as a lower carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels: 3Degrees has developed custom Tier 2 hydrogen fueling pathways in California and Oregon; the Oregon pathways are the first to generate credits from the use of hydrogen under Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP); and 3Degrees has reported on green hydrogen produced via electrolysis in California.

Hydrogen production requires a large, centralized operation and therefore production sites are limited across the western United States. Oregon, for example, has no hydrogen production facilities, so hydrogen was sourced from two California-based producers and transported to facilities in Oregon to power hydrogen fuel cell forklifts.

3Degrees worked to verify the fuel supply chain, developed a new carbon intensity calculation for the fuel, and managed the pathway certification process with the Oregon Department of Environmental Air Quality (ODEQ) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The pathways were approved in mid-2021, with the first credits generated and monetized by 3Degrees in the summer.

3Degrees is also working with California State University, Los Angeles to report its green hydrogen production and EV charging infrastructure. This reporting is inclusive of infrastructure credits under the Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure (HRI) provision which was added to the LCFS as an amendment in 2018 under the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) crediting provision. In operation since 2014, Cal State LA’s Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility was the first such facility globally to sell hydrogen fuel by the kilogram directly to retail customers.

Dr. David Blekhman, the hydrogen facility technical director, commented “working with 3Degrees was easy and provided necessary support in securing the LCFS incentives.”

“Full transportation decarbonization will require a mix of low-carbon fuels to meet the needs of varied equipment types, including off-road applications,” says Dave Meyer, Director of Transportation Markets at 3Degrees. “3Degrees is proud to support the groundbreaking work of our partners by working through the complex regulatory, supply chain, and business issues associated with these projects to ensure our partners realize the value they deserve.”

New Energy One (NEO), jointly owned by Meridiam, an independent investment Benefit Corporation under French law and an asset manager, and an affiliate of Sevana Bioenergy, a California-based anaerobic digestion project developer, announced today the completed transaction of negative Carbon Intensity (CI) electricity supply from their Idaho-based dairy digester facility for use in electric vehicles in California. The sale is one of the first of its kind and hints at a growing trend of biogas facilities transitioning to electricity to support the decarbonizing California transportation market.

3Degrees, a firm that helps organizations achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals, worked with NEO to determine the best strategy for maximizing the benefit of the power it generates. Through this joint effort, 3Degrees purchases the power from the NEO facility, wheels it into the California market, and matches it with electric vehicle chargers in order to generate credits under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). To enable this, 3Degrees managed the Tier 2 pathway approval process with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), including the modeling and validation process required for NEO’s negative carbon-intensity score.

The power from this facility has a Carbon Intensity score of -698.21 grams of CO₂e/megajoule[1], one of the best scores registered for an approved pathway under the LCFS. Each MWh of electricity generated by this project and delivered into EVs equates to 3.6 tons of CO₂ emissions reductions, 2.5 more tons than qualifying zero-CI RECs generated from wind or solar resources[2].

“This investment, first of its kind for Meridiam in North America (after having invested in 12 biogas facilities in Europe), further supports our commitment to invest for people and the Planet and achieve sustainable, long-term growth,” says Peter Petrovszki, Investment Director at Meridiam. “We are proud to have achieved a very ambitious CI score, together with our partners, and we are working relentlessly to continue supporting this asset class and developing similar projects throughout North America, Europe and Africa.”

“Sevana is pleased to lead development of this innovative project to decarbonize transportation fuels in collaboration with our partners,” says Steve Compton, Executive Vice President at Sevana Bioenergy. “Realizing this carbon negative anaerobic digestion pathway is an example of working as a team to deploy cutting edge renewable energy market insight and capabilities.”  

“The LCFS provides the opportunity for anaerobic digesters of all kinds to generate significant value from the environmental benefits they provide,” says Dave Meyer, Director of Transportation Markets at 3Degrees. “Accessing this value requires deep expertise in complex regulatory markets and the ability to manage the entire supply chain. 3Degrees is proud to partner with Meridiam and Sevana to deliver the value and the environmental impact associated with this project.”

The project began delivering power in November 2020, and CARB issued the first LCFS credits from this project in July 2021. In addition to the California LCFS, a Tier 2 pathway has recently been approved for this project to support Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, making it one of the first of its kind in the state[3].

About Meridiam

As a world leader with $17.8 billion of assets under management, Meridiam has invested close to $1 billion of inter-generational capital in nine states in the United States and it is estimated that over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created by our U.S. projects. ESG criteria are at the heart of all our investment decisions and each of our projects is measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our mission is to go beyond investing our resources by actively helping to develop the global community through partnerships or alliances to build the world of tomorrow. 

Meridiam completed the “B” Impact Assessment as part of the self-reported and unaudited process and is awaiting B-Lab verification. Once certified, Meridiam will join a movement of 3,500+ Benefit Corporations globally that are helping to accelerate the global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Upon investing in a project, Meridiam utilizes its proprietary, advanced sustainability impact measurement platform, Simpl, to track and monitor the project’s impact. Meridiam is one of the few infrastructure investors in the US deploying such a targeted and sophisticated mechanism to ensure that projects deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits to the communities in which they exist. 

About Sevana

Sevana Bioenergy develops, designs, owns, and operates large-scale anaerobic digestion projects which produce renewable natural gas and organic-based soil amendments. Using state-of-the-art technology, engineering, and design, we are advancing the future of biogas energy production in the United States. Biogas projects reduce waste, increase the use of renewable energy and reduce long-term greenhouse gas emissions. Our mission is to be a market leader in accelerating the production of renewable natural gas derived from anaerobic digestion facilities in North America.  With an experienced team of national and international experts, we build value-add partnerships in agricultural communities by creating new markets for existing agricultural businesses. Our goal is to ensure that communities benefit and thrive through these partnerships while building renewable solutions to local waste and energy challenges. More information is available at www.sevanabioenergy.com.

[1] LCFS Fuel Pathway Code ELC026B01400100
[2] Using the formula in Section 95486.1(a)(1) of the LCFS regulation assuming the electricity is used in light-duty vehicles for compliance year 2021
[3] OR pathway code ELC998OR00110100

• Corporate power purchase agreements executed for electricity from largest solar project in Louisiana
• 345 MWdc solar farm estimated to abate about 450,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually, equivalent to annual emissions from about 99,000 fuel burning cars
• Project to stimulate local economy by generating an estimated $30 million in new revenue to the Pointe Coupee Parish along with creating approximately 400 construction jobs

Photo courtesy of Lightsource bp

McDonald’s Corporation and eBay Inc. today announced agreements with Lightsource bp to purchase power from what will be Louisiana’s largest solar project, located 30 miles northwest of Baton Rouge in Pointe Coupee Parish. The 345 megawatt Ventress Solar project will help McDonald’s and eBay meet their sustainability goals and advance their commitment to climate action, while growing Lightsource bp’s expanding footprint of solar assets across the Southeast. Once complete, the project will generate over 600,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 59,000 US homes.

“As one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, McDonald’s is uniquely positioned to help spur significant action around climate change,” said Emma Cox, Global Renewable Energy Lead at McDonald’s. “Our renewable energy deal with Lightsource bp will not only create Louisiana’s largest solar project and serve as the latest milestone in making significant progress toward our science-based emissions reduction target for 2030, but also demonstrate our belief that meaningful solutions to building a sustainable future require partnership and collaboration.”

“At eBay, investing in clean energy remains a focus of our business as we aim to attain 100 percent renewable energy by 2025,” said Renee Morin, Chief Sustainability Officer, eBay. “This project enables us to source the clean energy equivalent of our data center. Our collaboration with Lightsource bp and McDonald’s uniquely propels our shared goal to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.”

Construction is expected to begin as early as the end of this year on the Ventress Solar farm, with commercial operation starting in mid-2023. Lightsource bp is developing the project and will be the long-term owner and operator.

“This agreement is a great example of the teamwork needed to achieve our mutual goals for a healthier, more sustainable and resilient planet and economy for generations to come,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas for Lightsource bp. “Customer aggregation deals such as this allow businesses of varying sizes and energy needs to come together and spur meaningful development of clean and affordable energy sources in the US. This collaborative agreement by McDonald’s and eBay is a model we hope others will replicate.”

Local economic benefits beyond reducing greenhouse gas pollution

Beyond improving the health and energy security of communities across America, large-scale solar projects help strengthen local economies. Construction of the over $300 million privately funded solar farm will:

• Create approximately 400 construction jobs for 15-18 months, comprised primarily of local labor
• Provide an estimated $30 million dollar boost to Pointe Coupee Parish over the project life – providing additional funding for schools, fire departments, libraries and health services – without a tax increase on its citizens
• Deliver an indirect economic impact of over $200 million, according to a study by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, an economic development agency supporting the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area

“This project is exciting news for our parish,” said Major Thibaut, Pointe Coupee Parish President. “It brings the largest economic development project to the area in thirty years, with minimal impact on our infrastructure. The participation in the PILOT program means approximately $30 million in revenue for parish government, law enforcement and school system without an increase in taxes on our residents.”

Dual use solar – maximizing benefits to the environment and local community

With proper planning and land management, solar farms can increase biodiversity and improve local ecosystems. A long-term environmental action plan is underway for Ventress Solar that aims to maximize local sustainability benefits through habitat creation and co-located agriculture to farm the land while also harnessing solar energy.

CustomerFirst Renewables and 3Degrees, representing McDonald’s and eBay respectively, partnered to advise the buyer aggregation during the transaction, and Ballard Spahr led negotiations on behalf of the buyers.

About Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects, and a 50:50 joint venture with bp. Our purpose is to deliver affordable and sustainable solar power for businesses and communities around the world. Our team includes over 500 industry specialists, working across 15 countries. We provide full scope development for our projects, from initial site selection, financing and permitting through to long-term management of solar projects and power sales to our clients. Lightsource bp in the U.S. is headquartered in San Francisco with development offices in Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Austin. Since late 2017, the team has developed a pipeline of more than 8 gigawatts of large-scale solar projects at various stages of development across the United States with over 2.7 gigawatts of contracted assets representing more than $2.2 billion in potential investment. For more information please visit lightsourcebp.com.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 39,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 93% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook. www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About eBay

eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers in 190 markets around the world. We exist to enable economic opportunity for individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2020, eBay enabled $100 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.