The LCFS credits were generated for Q4 2024 at the default rate of -150 carbon intensity. A pending application to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for seven digesters is in the final approval process, with approval expected this quarter in time for the next quarterly LCFS credit sale.
The seven pending dairy digesters are expected to average lower than -350 carbon intensity, a significant increase of more than 120% of the number of LCFS credits that will be received by Aemetis Biogas after the completion of sale transactions compared to the -150 default pathway.
“Aemetis Biogas production and revenues from dairy RNG continues to grow, with more biogas production from four more dairies planned to come online this quarter,” stated Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “The expected adoption of 20 years of low carbon biofuel mandates in the next few months by CARB after completion of the OAL process is expected to increase the value of the LCFS credits rapidly, compounded by our expected approval of pathways for seven dairies that will increase the number of credits generated by those digesters by an estimated 120%.”
Aemetis Biogas has signed agreements with 50 diaries and has 11 digesters operating to process waste from 12 dairies. An additional four dairies that supply one large biogas digester are planned to be operational in Q2 2025. The company has installed 36 miles of biogas pipeline, with environmental approval for 60 miles of biogas pipeline to be installed as dairy digesters are completed.
Dairy RNG generates revenues from sale of the fuel, California LCFS credits, federal D3 RINs and federal Section 45Z production tax credits, in addition to federal Section 48 investment tax credits.
In the past 18 months, Aemetis has received $70 million from the sale of $83 million of Section 48 investment tax credits to two corporate purchasers. Additional Section 48 investment tax credit sales are expected to be completed in the next few months as additional dairy digesters are completed.
Starting in January 2025, Aemetis Biogas generated 45Z production tax credits from dairy RNG production. The sale of 45Z tax credits is in process, with the first sales expected to be completed in summer 2025.
