Biogas: Our People – Jason Mackenzie, P.E.

The final team member we’d like to introduce you to for the biogas blog series is Jason Mackenzie (Sr. Project Manager).

Describe your typical day working for the Biogas team:

My typical day consists of facilitating communication between project team members and project stakeholders. I organize information, document decisions, and answer questions so that the team can drive projects forward successfully. I set project goals and schedule project activities. I solicit technical feedback from our team and facilitate decision-making that aligns with project objectives and meets client expectations. I prepare agendas, facilitate meetings, and manage project budgets.

How have you seen the Biogas team grow over time?

Our Biogas team has grown very well in the time I’ve been a part of it, roughly doubling in size and adding highly skilled and highly motivated professionals.  Our overall business is also expanding capabilities through acquisitions, so we have access to more capabilities internally (i.e. panel fabrication and programming). We are now delivering multiple projects for repeat clients, which helps streamline processes and supports continuous improvement.  We are improving our design processes and refining our team to drive actions, document decisions, and deliver quality throughout our projects.

What is your favorite aspect of working in Biogas?

I am thrilled by the opportunity to manage multiple projects turning manure from the largest dairies in the nation into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). I am most excited about the positive environmental impact that these projects have, capturing methane that would otherwise vent into the environment and instead putting it toward beneficial use as a vehicle fuel.

How does your role in Biogas contribute to its successful future?

I see our Biogas team continuing to develop successful RNG projects from dairy manure and also diversifying our portfolio with biogas-to-electricity projects. The proposed addition of renewable electricity RIN (eRIN) to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program will provide a pathway for additional biogas installations to become feasible, with electrical generation being a more economical solution for smaller-scale projects.

I spent the first 8 years of my career designing, installing, and operating over 24 megawatts worth of biogas-to-electricity facilities, and I am excited to transfer that knowledge and experience to our biogas team as a portion of the Biogas industry shifts back toward renewable electricity. I also see our team leading the industry with technology enabling biogas capture from other feedstocks. My diverse experience in other industries, project management experience, and creative problem-solving will help with this growth.