Governor signs feed-in tariff bill

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will revise and expand the feed-in tariff program for renewable energy facilities. The legislation, Senate Bill 32, by Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-San Bernardino), was supported by Western United Dairymen. Adoption by the Public Utilities Commission of feed-in tariff programs and rate schedules will significantly benefit on-farm use of methane biogas projects in the near future. Schwarzenegger said, “In order to meet our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 33% by 2020, we will need to use all of the tools available under our existing programs to get to that goal. By increasing the size of projects allowed under the FIT program and increasing the cumulative cap for investor-owned utilities for FIT projects, this bill is a step in the right direction. The PUC is also currently exploring an expanded FIT for small to medium scale renewable generation using a market-based pricing approach.”

The Dark Side of Digesters. Regulatory obstacles curb digesters' future in California

In February, just days before firing up his dairy’s $4 million digester for the first time, California’s John Fiscalini is already discouraged. “If I had known then what I know now, I’m not sure I would have built it,” he says. The Modesto, Calif., dairy producer had hoped to be a successful pioneer in the state’s digester implementation, paving the way with a technology that has promised to provide environmental benefits, energy creation and increased revenue streams. But Fiscalini has encountered one obstacle after another since he began the venture in 2006. He’s seen cost overruns drive up expenses for the aboveground, complete-mix digester, initially projected at $1 million. <more> March 6, 2009 Dairy Today

First cow-powered truck unveiled at Tulare World Ag Expo

WESTERN UNITED DAIRYMEN PRESS RELEASE

Feb. 13, 2009 - - The nation's first "cow-powered" truck debuted at the World Ag Expo in Tulare this week and received very positive media attention, as well as interest from those stopping by the booth. Two trucks that normally run on diesel have been converted to run on biomethane produced from cow manure at Hilarides Dairy. This renewable fuels model reduces global warming emissions (methane from manure), air pollution (from diesel emissions) and dependence on fossil fuels, without a food-fuel trade-off in land use.

Watch Hilarides explain the process and benefits: view video

Air Board blocks digester development

The San Joaquin Valley Air Board in California is blocking development of methane digesters by demanding near-perfect air quality from engines. The mandated emission standard of 9 parts per million nitrogen oxide (NOx) has never been demonstrated scientifically, says Allen Dusault, director of sustainable agriculture at Sustainable Conservation. Engines available can only achieve 30 to 40 parts per million NOx. "Installing additional control equipment, to meet the Air Board's standard would cost dairies another $300,000 to $400,000, which is more than the engine itself costs, and it threatens to kill new projects," says Dusault. Already half a dozen projects in the pipeline are stalled because of the Air Board’s stance.  Aug. 13, 2008 Dairy Herd Management

Dairy farmer wants to convert manure to electricity, but regional air quality district is hesitant over smog concerns

Smog versus greenhouse gas: Which is worse? Cow manure has provoked a debate over the benefits of reducing fossil fuel consumption and cutting greenhouse gas emissions versus controlling smog in the Sacramento region. Jon Tollenaar wants to install a “methane digester” that would use manure from the 1,900 cows on his farm near Elk Grove to produce electricity for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. SMUD has agreed to buy the electricity, the California Energy Commission has funded the project with a $500,000 loan, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided a $198,000 grant. But Tollenaar might need an additional $60,000 or more of smog-control equipment before the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District will give him a permit to run the generator. “This is going to set the precedent,” said Marco Lemes, manager of SMUD’s Dairy Digester Incentive Program. “If Tollenaar doesn’t get built, forget other dairies in Sacramento.”  <more> Aug. 13, 2008 Sacramento Business Journal

Digester development faces uncertain development in California, WUD tells audience at Denier opening

As elected officials, government agency representatives, engineers, and dairy producers gathered Thursday to celebrate the latest opening of a dairy methane digester facility in Sacramento County, a cautionary note about construction of additional digesters in the state was sounded by Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Resource Development. “This may be one of the last digesters built in California because of conflicting regulations between AB32 (global warming legislation) and new regulations coming out of air districts with regard to emissions from the engine generator sets,” Marsh told the crowd gathered at the Cal-Denier Dairy in southern Sacramento County. The digester was funded in part by state Energy Commission grant funds administered by Western United Resource Development (WURD). <more> July 25, 2008 WUD Weekly News Update

Financial, regulatory roadblocks face methane digester development

Financial and regulatory roadblocks must be overcome if dairy methane digesters are ever to become an attract investment for manure management, Western United Dairymen told a special Assembly informational hearing this week. The hearing was called to examine the factors surrounding the viability of biofuels and bioenergy. WUD Director of Economic Analysis Tiffany LaMendola appeared before the hearing called by Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Nicole Parra to address the opportunities and challenges facing development of new manure management technologies that could add substantial new resources to California’s economy and help address the state’s energy needs. April 4, 2008 WUD Weekly News Update

Sacramento conference mulls methane future. Participants provide success stories, outline challenges

Millions of dairy cows across the West could help bottle up greenhouse gases and fuel the energy needs of residents, but several impediments stand in the way of farmers. Issues and challenges relating to livestock as renewable energy producers were discussed at the AgSTAR National Conference here Nov. 27-28, before hundreds of dairy farmers, methane project developers, regulators and others interested in converting manure into energy. AgSTAR is a voluntary effort jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy. The two-day conference of technical, policy and financial presentations explored both the promise and pitfalls of methane recovery systems on farms. Dec. 13, 2007 Capital Press

Cut red tape suffocating farm digesters -

It is based on tried-and-true technology, but because of few funding resources, utility resistance and government regulations, development of anaerobic methane digesters has hit a rough patch in some states. Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency held a national AgSTAR conference in Sacramento, Calif., to illuminate livestock producers, regulators and energy professionals in ways to turn manure into renewable energy, green benefits and greenbacks. So far, the anaerobic digester industry has grown slowly. EPA data show 111 anaerobic digesters operating as of this month in the U.S., but most - 47 percent - of the total number are in states like Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania. California - the nation's top dairy state - has 15, Oregon has five, Washington has two and there is one in Idaho. Why isn't the dairy industry stepping up in the West? The short answer is the process is convoluted, complex and costly.  Dec. 13, 2007 Capital Press Editorial

Digester development faces continuing challenges, WUD tells hearing

The impact of biofuels on the California dairy industry has been “substantial,” Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh told a state Senate Agriculture Committee hearing this week, but dairy producers’ ability to capitalize on the potential for farm energy production “continues to be elusive for a number of reasons.” Marsh noted that the Dairy Power Production Program, administered by Western United Resource Development, has approved 18 digesters for funding. Of those, construction on 11 projects has been completed and they are producing electricity. Construction of the remaining seven digesters is slated for spring 2008. The 18 projects will generate a combined 3.6 megawatts of electricity. “The untapped potential is significant if adequate markets can be developed for this renewable energy,” pointed out Marsh.  Dec. 7, 2007 WUD Weekly News Update

National conference explores promise, pitfalls of methane digesters. AgSTAR conference draws hundreds of farmers, energy specialists, regulators

California's 1.8 million dairy cows could help bottle up greenhouse gases and fuel the energy needs of residents, but several impediments stand in their way. Issues and challenges relating to livestock as renewable energy producers were discussed at the AgSTAR National Conference in Sacramento before hundreds of dairy farmers, methane project developers, regulators and others interested in converting manure into energy. AgSTAR is a voluntary effort jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The two-day conference of technical, policy and financial presentations, explored both the promise and pitfalls of employing methane recovery systems on farms.  Nov. 29, 2007 Capital Press

Carbon market opportunities on tap at three Valley meetings

The carbon market, the risks and opportunities associated with developing carbon credits, and the investment opportunities available for creating revenue from the manure at Valley dairy operations will be discussed at three upcoming luncheons being hosted by Western United Dairymen and EcoSecurities, a leading company with ten years of experience in the business of developing carbon credits from greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. WUD and EcoSecurities recently teamed up to identify opportunities for investment in anaerobic digestion projects at California dairy farms.

WUD partners with EcoSecurities on digester investment assessments

Western United Dairymen has partnered with greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon credit experts EcoSecurities, who will assess the opportunity for investment in anaerobic digestion projects at California dairy farms.  EcoSecurities will identify potential candidates from all interested dairies. With the passage of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, California has moved to the forefront of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction activity in the U.S. California dairy operators could benefit from this legislation by undertaking activities that reduce GHG emissions, such as the anaerobic digestion of animal waste. 

Offset credits for emissions ignite boom. Valley may cash in on industry created by global warming fight.

Carl Morris wasn't trying to save the planet when he spread a 7-acre sheet of black vinyl over Joseph Farms' new cow manure lagoon in 2004. His goal was to capture methane to generate electricity. To his surprise, he found he could do both -- and get paid for it. "As soon as we started generating, I got a cold call," he said. The dairy farm became a supplier of "offsets," marketable credits purchased by companies or others trying to compensate for the amount of carbon dioxide, methane or other greenhouse gases they emit. His manure-digesting system has generated a stash of greenhouse gas offsets -- some of which Morris has sold, some of which he's keeping -- worth nearly $250,000 at current market prices. Joseph Farms is on the front end of a boom. Offsets are a lucrative if somewhat controversial industry, a $5 billion-a-year global business spawned by the fight against global warming. Oct. 14, 2007 Sacramento Bee

Don’t expect digesters to turn manure into gold

The first rule is: Don't expect an anaerobic digester to turn manure into gold. Designers and builders of digester facilities for dairies and other livestock operations can promise potential added income and compliance with environmental regulations, but there are no guarantees, said Mike Marsh of Western United Resource Development. An arm of Western United Dairymen, WURD has been one of the lead contractors for dairy digester projects in recent years, securing grant money for construction of 18 projects. Marsh said companies that build highly technical digester systems provide the service, but there are many variables on site that contribute to the success of a system. A complete system designed to put electricity into a utility power grid can mean an investment of more than $1 million. Oct. 11, 2007 Capital Press

Now that's natural gas. Franciscan dairy outside Petaluma goes green by converting methane from cow manure into energy

alk about tail pipe emissions. St. Anthony Farm, a 315-acre dairy west of Petaluma, is the first in Sonoma County to convert cow doo-doo into renewable bio-gas. So long as 250 dairy cows keep up with their end of the bargain, the farm will have an inexhaustible supply of energy for milking operations, a new creamery and many other needs. "Poop to power," was how the Rev. John Hardin described the technology Tuesday at a ceremony to mark the occasion at the Valley Ford Road farm. In addition to being an organic dairy, St. Anthony also offers a rehabilitation program for drug- and alcohol-addicted homeless men. The farm is owned and operated by the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church. <more> Sept. 26, 2007 Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

Washington Ranchers Turning Cow Manure into Kilowatt-hours

For the past four years, Snohomish County Black Angus rancher and tree farmer Dale Reiner has tried to make power from poop. After countless hours chatting up dairymen, negotiating power prices with the local utility and lining up grants to support a project that could turn manure into kilowatts, he's getting close. But it's been a challenge making cow power pencil out. "The price of our power here is so cheap," Reiner said. "We can't compete." That could change. Beginning in 2012, the state's largest utilities will have to get 3 percent of their power from renewable sources. By 2020, voter-approved Initiative 937 requires renewable energy to make up 15 percent of overall power. Aug. 22, 2007 Seattle Post

Climate change could bring 'green' to farmers' pockets. State’s ‘cap and trade’ system could create revenue source

California's greenhouse gas law will bring change to how farmers, ranchers and foresters operate in the future. It could also put some money in their pockets, too. As the state moves forward to implement Assembly Bill 32 - the Global Warming Solutions Act - and its market-based system of carbon trading, businesses like agriculture, that sop up more carbon dioxide than they produce, could benefit. Paul Martin, director of environmental services for Modesto-based Western United Dairymen, said dairy farmers are being approached by businesses, utilities and investor groups to discuss possible cost-share programs to install methane digesters on dairies. Dairy cows are methane producers, but digesters capture and convert it to a renewable energy source, creating a carbon credit. Martin said some dairy farmers are already trading credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange. "I am encouraged that the value of greenhouse gas credits has started to rise in the past couple of months," he said. "We were talking with a company a few days ago and they were willing to pay $5 a ton of reductions, which is double what it was two months ago." Aug. 10, 2007 Capital Press

Two new North Coast dairy bio-gas power plants among last

As one North Coast dairy starts up electricity production from trapped manure gas and another has one in the offing, the future of such power production remains in doubt amid high costs, competition with ethanol and opposition from free-range-livestock advocates. San Francisco-based St. Anthony Foundation plans to start up an 80-kilowatt bio-gas power plant at its St. Anthony Farm dairy in the southwest Sonoma County community of Valley Ford in August.  Meanwhile, the Giacomini family that operates Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. in the Point Reyes Station area of west Marin County is planning to build a 100-kilowatt bio-gas plant next year, according to managing partner Lynn Giacomini Stray. Those two were among nine bio-gas power projects statewide, totaling 1.33 megawatts of production capacity, to receive funding from the California Dairy Power Production Program in December. That was the second round of funding from the California Energy Commission for the program, initiated by the state's nearly $10 billion SB5X alternative-energy grant program of 2001. <more> Aug. 6, 2007 Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Cow power: Producers work to strengthen markets for methane

The idea of turning cow pies into power is nothing new, and while the technology to do it has been available for decades, methane digesters are still few and far between in the nation's No. 1 dairy state. "There should be more of them out there," said San Joaquin County dairy farmer Larry Castelanelli. "But there have been some stumbling blocks." The main one is finding a market for the energy, said Michael Marsh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairymen. Until some recent legislative changes, utilities were not required to pay for any excess power the digesters produce, a sore point for many dairy farmers. "This type of renewable energy works," Marsh said. "However, it's going to be very difficult to make it work financially unless we have a market for the energy we're able to produce on the farm."  <more> July 2, 2007 Ag Alert

Professor Says Biodigester Technology Would Benefit Ohio Dairy Farms

An animal science professor from Ohio State University said anaerobic digesters are "absolutely" a viable solution for turning cow manure into energy, but very few dairy farms in the state have explored the technology. Speaking at a meeting of the Wood County Ag-Energy Task Force yesterday, Floyd Schanbacher, who directs the Third Frontier Biomass to Energy Program, said virtually no digesters are operating on dairy farms in Ohio because of the high cost of the systems, because it's not an operation farmers are comfortable getting involved with, and because the state has not historically encouraged businesses to pursue renewable energy sources. The Blade, Toledo, Ohio, May 15, 2007

California methane digester hailed as success story by USDA

An anaerobic digester installed by Eddie Imsand on his El Mirage dairy has been profiled by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in an online exhibit that hails the many ranchers and farmers voluntarily participating in California conservation on private land. The Meadowbrook Dairy digester was funded in part by a grant from the California Energy Commission administered by Western United Resource Development (WURD) and a cost-share agreement from NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). “We want to be proactive. We want to show our concern for the environment so the public and government officials can see that it can be done,” said Imsand. Nearly all of Imsand’s energy needs for his 159-acre dairy are satisfied by processing the manure from his 2,000-cow dairy. On average, 20,000 gallons of manure are collected each day. The digester has produced nearly one million kilowatts of energy since coming online in July 2004. Enough energy is generated during winter months to supply 100 percent of demand on the dairy and 80 percent during summer months. Imsand hopes to add another turbine to increase his output and eventually have the ability to sell his energy to Southern California Edison. Imsand's story, and others, appear on the NRCS-CA webpage entitled “The Faces and Places of Conservation,” at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/news/stories/. To download the story as a PDF file, please click here. April 26, 2007 NRCS Press Release

National manure digester conference set for Sacramento Nov. 27-28

The national USEPA AgSTAR annual conference on anaerobic digestion of animal manure will be held on 27-28 Nov. 27-28 in Sacramento. The conference is designed for livestock producers, project developers, regulators, energy professionals, financiers, and others interested in manure digesters and energy projects. The conference will highlight the latest projects, technologies and financial incentives, and will once again include technical presentations, a conference luncheon, exhibits, and a tour of local manure digesters. The conference will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center. Overnight accommodations will be available at the Sheraton Grand. The room block will be available for reservations starting in mid-May. For more information on exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Katherine Moore ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) April 25, 2007 USEPA Press Release

Biogas from cow manure project up for discussion at March 28-29 ag biofuel forum

A project to convert dairy cow-generated biogas into vehicle fuel for milk trucks will be discussed by Michael Marsh, CEO, Western United Resource Development, at a national agriculture AND biofuel leaders forum to be held in Sacramento March 28-29. Several groups are collaborating in the five-phase project to adapt four heavy-duty, diesel-powered milk trucks to run on methane. WURD is spearheading the research effort with a $400,000 grant from U.S. EPA'S West Coast Collaborative. WURD will collaborate with Western United Dairymen, Sustainable Conservation, UC-Davis, CalStart, Hilarides Dairy, Hilmar Cheese Company, CDFA, and the Swedish Environmental Technology Council (SWENTEC).

Regulatory barriers to renewable energy examined at an April 18 workshop

A Napa workshop on April 18-20 will focus attention on regulatory barriers and opportunities for waste-to-energy, combined heat and power, and energy efficiency on the farm and in food processing. California BioEnergy - -The Path to Market Transformation will discuss technology, as well as barriers and opportunities. Concurrent tracks will allow attendees to either address these regulatory issues, or participate in a Biogas Injection Roundtable with gas providers, upgrading vendors, and regulators. More information is available at www.cabioenergy.com.  March 9, 2007 WUD Weekly News Update

State methane digester overview set for April renewable fuel meeting

An overview of anaerobic digester installations on California dairies will be provided by Michael Marsh, CEO, Western United Resource Development, Inc., at the BioCycle West Coast Conference on April 16-18 in San Diego. He will assess the effectiveness of the Dairy Power Production Program to offset project development costs and provide electricity generation incentive payments in his remarks to the renewable energy conference on composting, organics recycling and renewable energy. Other speakers include Martha Davis of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency discussing how the agency’s anaerobic digester processes a mix of organic waste streams to yield greater biogas output, and Ruihong Zhang, UC Davis. Program details are available at http://www.jgpress.com/conferences1/conferences1.html. Dairy producers can attend this session for a reduced rate of $75.  March 9, 2007 WUD Weekly News Update

Dairy Energy Management Seminar in Chowchilla March 14

Pacific Gas & Electric Company will host a Dairy Energy Management workshop on March 14, from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds. The workshop will provide an overview of dairy energy management options, including energy efficiency technologies and incentives, emerging technologies, demand response opportunities, self generation, and a review of the various dairy biogas options for the dairy farmer. This workshop is designed for dairy owners and operators, and dairy designers and vendors interested in developing and promoting integrated energy management strategies. To register online go to http://www.pge.com/education_training/classes/energy_efficiency/DATA/2661.htm or call (209) 726-6484.

California launches project to develop methane-powered milk trucks

A new project to convert dairy-generated biogas into vehicle fuel for milk trucks is underway in California. Several groups will collaborate in the five-phase project to adapt four heavy-duty, diesel-powered milk trucks to run on methane. Western United Resource Development, Inc. (WURD) is spearheading the research effort with a $400,000 grant from U.S-EPA Region 10.WURD will collaborate with Western United Dairymen, Sustainable Conservation, University of California-Davis, CalStart, Hilarides Dairy, Hilmar Cheese Company, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Swedish Environmental Technology Council (SWENTEC).The project’s goal is to develop a new model for reducing diesel emissions and lessening fossil-fuel dependency. The venture also seeks to eliminate transportation costs of distributed fuel by locating fueling stations where agricultural products are grown or delivered. March 9, 2007 Dairy Today

Lessons learned with digester projects. One system produces all of dairy’s powe

D is for digester, but it is also the grade dairy producer Jake De Raadt gave his digester system in an evaluation prepared for the California Energy Commission. De Raadt's Eden Vale dairy and four other dairies where anaerobic digesters were installed to convert manure to methane gas were part of a 2006 report on the Dairy Power Production Program. To date, 14 projects have been approved for grants totaling $5.79 million. The projects have an estimated generating capacity of 3.5 megawatts.  De Raadt says his plug flow digester works just fine. Manure from his 800-cow dairy goes in, gas is generated. The problems for Eden Vale Dairy and other dairies in the evaluation are demand charges due to system downtime and inadequate net metering arrangements. "The returns are not there," said De Raadt, who fired up the generator for the first time Dec. 6, 2005.  March 8, 2007 Capital Press

Nine more digester projects approved

In a second round of funding, nine more methane digester construction projects were recently approved under the California Dairy Power Production Program. Project locations range from Butte County in Northern California to Imperial County in Southern California, with herd sizes ranging from 300 to 3,200 head. Both free stall and dry lot dairies are represented. It is estimated the projects will have a generating capacity of 1.33 megawatts when completed by March 31, 2008. The projects include several types of digesters, including six covered lagoons, one plug-flow and two complete-mix systems. Most systems will be new. March 8, 2007 Capital Press

California dairies aim to cut methane emissions. One effort will use trucks that run on fuel from cows.

People in the dairy business are looking at two routes for improving the environment. One is literally a truck route. Western United Dairymen, based in Modesto, is launching a study in which four milk tankers supplying Hilmar Cheese Co. will run on methane derived from cow manure. The yearlong project could reduce air pollution from diesel fuel while helping dispose of manure in a way that protects air and water, said Michael Marsh, the group's chief executive officer. The second effort involves a marketplace for credits that businesses could earn by reducing emissions believed to contribute to global warming. March 3, 2007 Modesto Bee

Air emission rules offer pitfalls, profits

Clearing the air in the San Joaquin Valley will take a concerted effort on the part of all stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers. California's dairy sector will be at the forefront of those efforts. Involvement by dairy operators was spurred last year by passage of Assembly Bill 32, which will establish a comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms aimed at reducing California's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. <more> Feb. 28, 2007 Ag Alert

Commentary: Dairy industry takes on global warming challenge

By Mark Looker and Paul Martin  - - California dairy families, as they often do, find themselves once again on the front lines of a high-profile environmental issue--global warming. Gov. Schwarzenegger in October signed Assembly Bill 32 into law, committing California to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by the year 2020. The California Air Resources Board is charged with monitoring and regulating sources of greenhouse gases in order to reduce emissions. The state's 2,000 dairy families find themselves at the forefront of the initial attempts to come to grips with the implementation of this historic and far-reaching legislation. <more> Feb. 28, 2007 Ag Alert

More questions than answers at carbon credit symposium

After four hours of information-packed presentations on dairy emission credits and greenhouse gas credits, there were more questions than answers following a Modesto symposium that attracted an audience of 160 composed of dairy producers, government officials and vendors interested in learning more about the admittedly complex and thorny issues. Grappling with the new challenges presented by Emissions Reductions Credits (ERCs) and Greenhouse Gas Credits (GHGs), the symposium sponsored by Western United Dairymen, Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation served its anticipated role for being a “kickoff discussion,” said Paul Martin, WUD’s director of environmental services. “There are a lot of questions out there. We’re getting asked a lot of questions - - and there are no easy answers. We are in the very initial states of this process. There is a lot to be learned and we have identified resources to help us get those answers.”  Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007

Sacramento cow power means money from manure via electricity

The cows on Fred Denier's dairy soon will be producing something more than milk -- they'll be making juice. That's juice as in electrical power. Cal-Denier Dairy in Galt has a deal with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to capture methane gas from cow manure to generate electricity. The deal is one in a wave of new agreements in California aimed at boosting the state's use of renewable energy by harnessing the power of cow pies. "We think these are very cool projects," said Keely Wachs, a spokesman for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which recently signed two contracts for cow power. Feb. 17, 2007 Sacramento Bee

Power from dairies envisioned. Companies plan to glean energy from bovine waste

A Bakersfield attorney and third-generation dairy farmer Monday announced the formation of a "waste-to-energy" company that will work with farmers and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to turn cow manure into natural gas.  Meanwhile, a Palo Alto-based biotechnology company and two Visalia-based dairy technology companies also announced plans Monday to build a separate facility that would generate energy from dairy waste to power a new ethanol plant in the San Joaquin Valley. Feb. 13, 2007 Fresno Bee

Joint ventures promises to convert dairy waste to power for proposed ethanol plant

A Palo Alto, Calif. bioenergy firm has formed a joint venture with a central valley based dairy development group to develop energy from dairy waste to power an ethanol plant in the san Joaquin Valley. HBS BioEnergy (HBSE), has joined with Visalia based Dairy Development Group and Agrimass Enviro-Energy to build a facility in the San Joaquin Valley which will utilize waste from surrounding dairies to provide the power needed to fuel the proposed ethanol plant to be located on site. “The joint venture involves developing and operating an innovative agricultural waste-to-energy park,” explained Len Chapman, of Agrimass Enviro-Energy and Dairy Development Group. “This is the perfect model for agricultural production because it takes a problem – manure – and turns it into power, which then powers the ethanol plant that produces cleaner-burning fuels. This is the kind of green industry we need in the valley.” <more> Feb. 13, 2007 Western Farm Press

PG&E to utilize cow manure

PG&E plans to make electricity from cow manure. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Monday it signed a deal with a Central Valley bio-energy business to create renewable natural gas from cow manure. The gas will be used to generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes, the utility said. The deal is with BioEnergy Solutions, a company affiliated with a 3,000-cow dairy farm in Fresno County. The methane that is produced by the manure will be "scrubbed" and then shipped by PG&E's pipeline network to a utility power plant. California utilities are under increasing pressure to use renewable energy sources. Under a state mandate, 20 percent of California's energy must come from renewable sources by 2010. PG&E gets about 12 percent of its energy from renewables, said spokesman Keely Wachs. He said the BioEnergy deal is the second PG&E has made for renewable natural gas. Last fall the company signed a similar agreement with a company called Microgy Inc.  Feb. 13, 2007 Sacramento Bee

EPA Aims to Standardize Evaluations of Manure Digesters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a new protocol last week that intends to help standardize the process used to evaluate the performance of anaerobic digestion systems. Anaerobic digestion is a controlled process to produce methane from livestock manure. The methane can then be burned as a heat source or used to generate electricity. The new EPA protocol describes proper data collection to assess the performance of anaerobic digesters and establishes a uniform method of evaluating a project's operational reliability and economic viability. Meant for use by livestock producers, state agencies, project developers, and other involved parties, the protocol is intended to provide reliable, standardized information to system developers, the investment community, and farmers and ranchers. The protocol was developed jointly by the EPA's AgSTAR program, the Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. See the EPA press release and the full protocol (PDF 240 KB).  Jan.24, 2007 US Dept of Energy Newsletter

Reports Note Lessons Learned for Five California Dairy Manure Digesters

Anaerobic digesters are gaining popularity throughout the United States as a means to convert manure to methane, which can fuel an electrical generator. The technology is particularly appealing to dairy farmers, since it provides a means of disposing of manure and avoiding odors while creating a usable energy source. But before taking the plunge themselves, dairy farmers would be well advised to study five evaluation reports on new dairy digester systems that were issued by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in December. The five dairy farmers experienced a number of challenges with their new systems, including delays and cost overruns; lack of funds due to a drop in milk prices; reduced herds that produced less manure; troubles obtaining construction and utility interconnection permits; difficulty staying connected to the utility grid; inability to connect the largest dairy power loads to the generator; difficulty avoiding demand charges due to system down time; financial woes due to inadequate net metering arrangements; and equipment problems. Despite the challenges, though, the systems demonstrated the ability to produce ample biogas and electricity, although all of the farmers ended up flaring much of their biogas instead of producing power. The farmers generally found the systems useful for manure and odor management, but some struggled with the operation of their systems and most were unable to make the best use of the energy provided by their systems. With net metering laws and demand charges often not working to their advantage, it seems that most farmers would be best served by trying to power their farm with their generators, rather than counting on benefits from feeding the power into the electrical grid. Click here to see the five dairy reports on the CEC Web site. Jan, 17, 2007 U.S. Energy Dept Newsletter

Stanislaus farm to run on manure. Fiscalini gets a state grant to install methane digester

The Fiscalini family's dairy cows, already famous for their cheese, soon will be known for the energy they produce. The Kiernan Avenue farm has received a state grant for a system that extracts methane from manure and burns the gas to make electricity. It would be the first such system in the Modesto Irrigation District, which might buy some of the power. John Fiscalini, co-owner of Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese and about 3,000 head of cattle, said the system will meet his energy needs while disposing of the manure. His is one of nine farms chosen for a second round of dairy-gas grants from the California Energy Commission. "It could be a very significant source of renewable energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as well," said Michael Marsh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairymen. The Modesto-based group helped arrange for these systems, known as digesters, and 10 others in the first round. Jan. 13, 2007 Modesto Bee

More dairy power projects approved pipeline. Energy commission program funding nine more methane digester programs

Nine more methane digester projects have been approved for funding under the Dairy Power Production Program, Western United Dairymen reports.  The program has already funded 10 projects with an estimated generating capacity of 2.5 megawatts. The new projects will be in California's Central Valley from Butte County in the north to Imperial County in the south. Herd sizes range from 300 to 3,200 head on both dry lot and freestall dairies. The projects will have a total generating capacity of 1.33 megawatts when completed by 2008. Jan. 12, 2007 Capital Press

Greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies on agenda for March symposium

The California Air Resources Board is hosting an international symposium March 5, 2007 to explore options available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based primarily on technology solutions that can be implemented in the near term.  The symposium’s objective is to identify actions the ARB can implement in the near term pursuant to AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.  AB 32 requires the ARB to publish a list of discrete early action measures by June 30th, 2007, and to adopt regulations that are enforceable by January 1st, 2010. There will be sessions to discuss solutions for mitigation of methane and nitrous oxide.  Manure and agricultural soil management will be included in those discussions. Visit the ARB website for more information http://www.arb.ca.gov/. Jan. 10, 2007 ARB Press Release

Greenhouse gas credits symposium hosted by WUD Feb. 21 in Modesto

 Dairy producers interested in learning about emission reduction credits (ERC) and greenhouse gas credits (GHG) are invited to attend a February 21 symposium in Modesto co-sponsored by Western United Dairymen, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and Sustainable Conservation. WUD’s director of environmental services, Paul Martin, will moderate a panel on emission reduction credits and offsets. Valley air district official Dave Warner will explain the district’s rules, while Roger Isom of California Cotton Growers and WUD member Simon Vander Woude will discuss their experiences in using the new credits and offsets. The Farm Bureau’s Cynthia Cory will moderate a panel on greenhouse gas credits. A representative from the California Air Resources Board will provide an overview of the historic greenhouse gas legislation, AB32, passed last year. Michael McCormick of the California Climate Action Registry will offer insight into how the registry is currently developing protocols for the state’s dairy industry. Carl Morris of Joseph Gallo Farms will provide perspective on their initial foray into the market. GHG and ERC vendors will comprise an afternoon panel designed to educate producers about their various services. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Lunch will be served. RSVPs for planning purposes are requested by contacting WUD’s Paul Sousa at (209) 527-6453 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Jan. 5, 2007 WUD Weekly News Update

Gallo Farms’ biogas helps fuel Governor’s “Green Dream” inaugural event

When they fired up the 60-kilowatt biogas generator providing electricity for Gov. Schwarzenegger’s “Leading the Green Dream” Inaugural Celebration at the state Capitol today, it marked the high profile end of a journey for the usually anonymous biogas created from cow manure at Joseph Gallo Farms in Livingston. Gallo Farms, whose methane digester is one of 18 projects funded in part through a state renewable energy grant administered by Western United Resource Development, partnered with PG&E and Microgy, Inc., to provide the renewable manure digester biogas. In December, one of Gallo’s biogas generators was disconnected and PG&E gas compression equipment was connected to collect the gas and store it in a compressed gas tube trailer, which is being used to fuel the 60-kilowatt biogas generator providing electricity for today’s event.  PG&E is also using 60-kilowatt biodiesel-fueled generator, which uses commercially available biodiesel that is a mixture of regular diesel and biodiesel made from soybean oil.  “This was a great opportunity to publicize the potentially positive economic and environmental benefits of methane digesters,” pointed out Michael Marsh, CEO, Western United Resource Development. “All of the participants are to be commended for their efforts to demonstrate to California citizens the very real commitment the California dairy industry is making to renewable energy sources. California dairy families are once again finding innovative solutions to our environmental and energy challenges.”  Jan. 4, 2007 Source: PG&E Press Release

New Mexico farmers support proposed initiative to turn manure into electricity

Local dairy farmers support the idea of turning manure into electricity, and now that Gov. Bill Richardson wants state incentives to encourage the idea, they say it’s more feasible than ever.  “Local dairies here have been wanting to do some projects, but we need help,” said Art Schaap, a Curry County dairy farmer who owns three dairies in New Mexico and one in Texas.  Richardson signed an executive order Thursday that outlines emission reduction strategies to address global warming in New Mexico. Among the strategies is a plan to offer dairies incentives to capture methane gas from manure and turn it into electricity.  Jan. 4, 2007 Portales News Tribune

It's Greener Pastures for Biogas Power in Texas

Texans have always had a strange affinity for cow patties. They've been bronzed for trophies. They've been tossed for sport. And they've been used, however crudely, for art. Now, cow manure is about to be used to power homes and businesses in Central and North Texas. A Colorado company is building a $10 million plant near Stephenville, about 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, which will extract millions of cubic feet of pipeline-ready natural gas from cow manure every day. The Lower Colorado River Authority in Austin has agreed to buy the natural gas generated at the plant - enough to power 6,000 homes - when it becomes fully operational in April, said Ingmar Sterzing, the river authority's fuels manager. Dec. 18, 2006 Fort Worth Star Telegram

Searching for a better-smelling, energy-efficient manure. Research to create energy from excrement is an ongoing project for scientists.

With the right amount of science, cow manure can smell like baby lotion. Yes, baby lotion. That’s because WSU researchers are working on a network of machines that treat raw cow manure to reduce odor and also create an income from the biomass farmers now throw away. “I think students don’t understand how close dairy farms are to being bankrupt,” said Craig Frear, a biological systems engineering graduate student. “So, research like this is essential to maintaining the U.S. dairy farm and the U.S. dairy industry. As The Daily Evergreen reported in September, the work to create energy from excrement is ongoing, and the outlook smells good.  Nov. 28,2006 The Daily Evergreen

Maine milk trucks converting to biodiesel

Portland, Maine-based Oakhurst Dairy plans to begin using a biodiesel blend in 130 delivery trucks by year's end, creating the largest private biodiesel fleet in New England, company officials announced Tuesday. The decision is good for the environment because biodiesel is a cleaner-burning fuel and because it's produced from waste vegetable oil, among other things, said Maine Gov. John Baldacci."It reduces our need for, and our addiction to, foreign oil," he said. Oakhurst's decision, which affects 90 percent of its fleet, will remove from the air an estimated 1,332 tons per year of carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that's associated by scientists with global climate change. The reduction is equal to taking 262 cars off the road for a year, Oakhurst officials said. Nov. 28, 2006 AP

Bold act. But will California's new global warming law really work?

Out at Jake DeRaadt's dairy, turning cow manure into electricity has never smelled so promising — and California's new landmark greenhouse gas reduction law is the reason. About a year ago, DeRaadt invested $750,000 in a methane digester that can pump out about 150 kilowatts of electricity, about five times what his Lemoore dairy operation uses. "The renewables are here," DeRaadt said. California dairies and ranches produce about 65 billion pounds of manure each year. Until recently, projects like DeRaadt's were of limited appeal because utilities weren't willing to buy the excess power they generated. But now DeRaadt is nearing a deal with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to do just that. That deal, which is awaiting approval from the California Public Utilities Commission, could be a model for renewable energy projects in the central San Joaquin Valley. Nov. 19, 2006 Fresno Bee

Vermont Cows Providing the Energy to Help Power Small College Campus

Green Mountain College is seizing the power of cow dung. The 760-student school, located along the Vermont-New York line, started Thursday to get half of its electricity from farms that run generators powered by methane gas extracted from cow manure. The college will pay an extra $48,000 on its $250,000-a-year electricity bill for the privilege, which will help it reduce its reliance on non-renewable energy that pollutes the environment. "It's a perfect fit," said college President John F. Brennan. "We're an environmental college. We're dedicated to environmental applications and renewable energy." Oct. 31, 2006 AP

Cow power agreement fuels renewable energy

A solution to satisfy California's appetite for natural gas could come from the same source that fills milk cartons. California's dairy cows, which produce high-quality milk and dairy products, are viewed as above-ground, renewable natural gas wells that could help heat homes and fuel solutions to the state's future energy needs. Pacific Gas and Electric has signed an agreement with Microgy Inc. to develop four production facilities on dairy farms in the San Joaquin Valley to deliver renewable natural gas to PG&E customers. Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen, said the project works economically for farmers and utilities.  "I think it is a good first step. It does take us a little ways down the road towards starting to develop this new renewable resource. Unfortunately, it doesn't get us all the way there, but it is a work in progress," Marsh said. "We are excited about the potential that this project and other projects like it to present for farm dairy farmers and consumers." Oct. 26, 2006 Capital Press

PG&E to Buy Cow Manure Gas

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said Thursday that it would purchase natural gas derived from cow manure at California dairy farms to fuel power plants. The utility, a subsidiary of PG&E Corp., will buy the gas from Environmental Power Corp., a renewable energy developer based in Portsmouth, N.H. The gas will be generated by Environmental Power subsidiary Microgy Inc. at four production plants processing the manure at dairy farms in the Central Valley, said Jeff Dasovich, senior vice president at Microgy. Financial terms and the length of the deal were not disclosed. Depending on the timing of regulatory approvals, the gas could be flowing to PG&E by the end of 2007. California regulators have directed the state's investor-owned utilities to make renewable resources 20% of their power supplies by 2010. “We're excited about the opportunity this presents to make these renewable energy projects work economically for both dairies and utilities," said Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen. "This is a market-based solution, which we prefer over mandates.” Oct. 13, 2006 AP

WUD praises PG&E plan to purchase natural gas from cow manure

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said Thursday that it would purchase natural gas derived from cow manure at California dairy farms to fuel power plants. The utility will buy the gas from Environmental Power Corp., a renewable energy developer based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The gas will be generated by Environmental Power subsidiary Microgy, Inc., at four production plants processing the manure at dairy farms in the Central Valley, said Jeff Dasovich, senior vice president at Microgy. Financial terms and the length of the contracts were not disclosed. “We’re excited about the opportunity this presents to make renewable energy projects work economically for both dairies and utilities,” said Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen. “This is a market-based solution, which we prefer over mandates.” The plan also drew support from Sustainable Conservation, a San Francisco-based environmental group that has worked closely with WUD on developing digester projects in California. “Biomethane takes the problem of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and turns it into a key part of the solution to California’s reliance on fossil fuels,” said Allen Dusault, Biofuels Project Director for Sustainable Conservation. “The state has no shortage of dairy manure, and it can now be cost-effectively converted into ‘cow power.’ That makes good environmental and economic sense.” Depending on the timing of regulatory approvals, the gas could be flowing to PG&E by the end of 2007. California regulators have directed the state’s investor-owned utilities to make renewable resources 20 percent of their power supplies by 2010. PG&E is also exploring other projects that will demonstrate the viability of converting biomethane into pipeline quality gas for use in power plants. Oct. 13, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Additional funds for California methane digester program

Western United Resource Development (WURD) has announced that $2.3 million is available in funding for construction of anaerobic digester systems on California dairies. The California Energy Commission has extended the successful Dairy Power Production Program (DPPP) administered by WURD. The program to date has funded ten methane digester projects with an estimated generating capacity of 2.5 megawatts. Applications for funding will be available soon at www.wurdco.com, the WURD website. “We are very pleased to be able to continue to make funds available for this program,” said WURD CEO Michael Marsh. “Our goal is to construct additional digesters with the combined capacity to generate at least another megawatt of electricity.” Oct. 6, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Washington State U. Scientists Hope to Use Cow Manure as Energy

As anyone who has driven across Eastern Washington knows, cow manure is in wide abundance across the state. And though most people know manure is a common fertilizer, it also could be used to potentially light a house, heat a bedroom and power a vehicle. There is an estimated 16.9 million tons of unused biomass available for harvest each year in Washington state, said Ralph Cavalieri, associate dean of the Washington State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. Associate researcher Craig Frear said that theoretically, this biomass could produce 15.5 million kilowatts of electricity, which could power about half the homes in the state. Sept. 27, 2006 MyCattle.com

From Manure, to Methane, to Electricity

Don and Jack Bortnick believe their dairy herd can do its part for America's energy independence, one cow pie at a time. The brothers intend to use the manure produced by their herd to produce methane gas, which in turn will be used to generate electricity. "It is a neat concept," Don Bortnick said. "This is renewable energy, and that's something the nation needs to be looking at." Kathy Greely, director of the Commonwealth Community Energy Project, said systems like the one proposed by the Bortnick brothers could play an important role in meeting America's energy needs. "I think these small-scale projects make sense for many reasons. For one thing, they can add up and have a big impact on the nation's energy needs," she said. Sept. 26, 2006 Erie Times-News

Idaho dairy making money from manure

Idaho’s first and only natural gas “well” is expanding as a Rupert area farmer increases his dairy herd. The project has the attention of federal officials. Intrepid Technology and Resources Inc., is expanding its methane digester at Whitesides Dairy northeast of Rupert. Rep. Mike Simpson visited the facility Wednesday and Sen. Mike Crapo was there Thursday. The first company to produce pipeline-quality methane from cow manure, ITR, in partnership with Utah State University, is expanding its operation. Instead of utilizing about 30 percent of the dairy’s waste, it will produce natural gas from 100 percent of the manure from 6,500 cows. Sept. 6, 2006 MagicValley.com

Connecticut cows could be new fuel cell

Milk, not electricity, is what people expect from the 1,500 or so dairy cows in East Canaan, Connecticut. Three farms -- Elm Knoll, Laurelbrook and Freund -- produce enough milk to supply a gallon a day to everyone in Canaan, Colebrook, Falls Village, Norfolk and Salisbury. Add North Canaan's four dairy farms, and the number of cows being milked in North Canaan equals about half the number of residents in this stretch of the Northwest Corner. The cows' prodigious production comes with a byproduct not found in the dairy section, one that can be expensive and time-consuming to manage: thousands of gallons of manure. The task of handling the never-ending poop got local farmers thinking there's got to be a better way to deal with it, and perhaps even to benefit. Their answer may be electricity -- specifically, generating electricity from methane gas produced by the manure, and selling it back to the power grid. The process is possible in a contraption called a digester. Three farms -- Elm Knoll, Laurelbrook and Freund -- have teamed up to pursue the project, and hope to be in the power business within a year or two. Aug. 29, 2006 Republican-American Waterbury, CT

Cowpies ambrosia to energy company. PG&E will distribute gas firm extracts from Central Valley dairies

The cows that produce milk for our refrigerators might soon supply gas for our stoves. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. this week announced that it will allow its natural gas pipelines to carry gas made from dairy manure in the Central Valley. The utility reached an agreement with Environmental Power Corp. of New Hampshire, which plans to install manure digesters on dairies and share the energy income with the farm owners. The digesters, which use bacteria to break down manure, would turn out a methane-rich gas compatible with what PG&E buys from fossil-fuel sources. "There are 120 pounds of manure on average from each cow per day," PG&E spokesman Jon Tremayne said. "That's a significant resource and a significant amount of methane." This gas could provide up to 5 percent of PG&E's "core" supply in 10 years and up to 10percent eventually, he said. The core supply is the gas the utility buys for homes and small to medium-size businesses. July 14, 2006 Modesto Bee

WUD: Create markets for renewable energy before mandates

Manure from dairy cows is a renewable material that offers plenty of promise, but developing the markets for energy created from manure needs to come first rather than more regulatory programs, Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen, told an EPA seminar this week. Speaking at the Pacific Southwest Organic Residuals Symposium in Sacramento, sponsored by US-EPA Region 9, Marsh said more emphasis needs to be placed on connecting the dots between resources such as cow manure and developing markets for the energy created - - whether that energy is converted to use as methane gas that is burned to generate electricity or developed into biomethane fuel for motor vehicles. July 14, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Governor touts renewable energy. Madera ethanol plant a backdrop to announce push for new sources

With a half-constructed ethanol plant in Madera as his backdrop, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced a plan Thursday to bring energy from renewable sources into the mainstream. The governor toured the plant on Avenue 12, owned by Fresno-based Pacific Ethanol, before detailing his bioenergy action plan for the state. The plan will encourage the use and development of energy sources that don't rely on fossil fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. "California is a biomass gold mine," Schwarzenegger said, standing near the fermentation tanks and distilling area that will start turning corn into the fuel additive ethanol later this year. July 14, 2006 Fresno Bee

Castelanelli Dairy methane digester featured on UN tour

A United Nations delegation got a glimpse of California farm technology and sustainability in a two-day visit to the Golden State hosted by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Representatives from the Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh and Portugal toured agricultural processing facilities, water projects, wineries, biotech industries and a Central Valley dairy. After a tour of the Blue Diamond almond processing plant in Sacramento, the delegation visited the Castelanelli Dairy in Lodi to view milk production. They also saw the operation of an $800,000 methane digester, which produces electricity from the dairy’s 1,600 cows. Owner Larry Castelanelli said the two-year-old system has been running about 14,000 hours, converting tons of manure and liquid wastewater into electrical power and a source of bedding material and fertilizer for his 1,700-acre diversified farm. “It is a very simple system and it is proven technology,” Castelanelli said. “Unlike solar energy, this place runs 24 hours a day producing power.” However, he said one big drawback to the system is the difficulty of selling the excess power he generates to PG&E. July 7, 2006 Capital Press

Tapping the Latent Power in What's Left Around the Barnyard

In a sense, it is the ultimate renewable source of fuel. Weather anomalies can kill off corn crops, calm the winds, obscure the sun — but through rain or shine, gusts or stillness, cows and hogs and turkeys spew forth a steady stream of manure, one of nature's richest sources of methane, a principal component of natural gas. And now, farmers and entrepreneurs are recognizing that this immutable fact can yield a steady stream of revenue and profit, too. Slowly, but steadily, they are replacing the malodorous lagoons used to treat the waste with machines that can wrest energy from excrement. According to AgStar, a federal program that promotes the conversion of manure to energy, there are more than 100 anaerobic digesters — devices that create an oxygen-free atmosphere in which bacteria digest manure and release gas — operating in the United States today, with another 80 on the drawing boards. "These are the only kinds of waste management systems that can actually put money in farmers' pockets," said Kurt Roos, program manager of AgStar. July 5, 2006 NY Times

Workshop Discusses Alternate Practices for California's Credit Policy in Generation Projects

The California Energy Commission explored alternative approaches to California's credit policies regarding new, re-powered, and renewable energy projects, at a workshop held June 27. Participants included energy policy makers, financial managers, electricity utility representatives and other interested parties. "Exploring alternate ways to reduce California's onerous credit polices for renewable energy projects will help California meet the Governor's goal of ensuring that 20 percent our electricity comes from renewable energy sources, "stated Joseph Desmond, Undersecretary of Energy Affairs of the Resources Agency. June 30, 2006 California Energy Commission

WUD praises California, Sweden biomethane agreement

An agreement was officially unveiled this week between the State of California and the Kingdom of Sweden, pledging the two governments and their related industries to work together to develop bioenergy, with a particular emphasis on biomethane. Michael Marsh, Western United Dairymen CEO, participated in a delegation that visited Sweden recently to get a first hand look at the country’s thriving biomethane industry. He called the agreement “a great collaboration that will help develop a healthy bioenergy industry in California. The California dairy industry has already demonstrated its leadership in the renewable energy field through its development of methane digesters, and we look forward to continuing in that leadership role with this latest agreement.” June 30, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Central Valley dairy farmer shows UN delegates how he got off the grid. Castelanelli Bros. Farm makes its own power from cow waste

Larry Castelanelli’s Holsteins on his Lodi-area dairy farm turn out 13,600 gallons of milk every day. And 160,000 watts of power. Simply put, Mr. Castelanelli is using an on-farm manure digester to make methane gas which is used to power a generator that makes the electricity the farm uses.  The project was highlighted Monday when a delegation from the United Nations toured the farm as part of a two-day trip to the Central Valley to learn more about sustainable agriculture. Delegates came from Bangladesh, Portugal, the Republic of Congo and the Republic of Korea. June 28, 2006 Central Valley Business Times

On Vermont dairy farm, energy happens

The cows at the Audet family's Blue Spruce Farm make nearly 9,000 gallons of milk a day _ and about 35,000 gallons of manure. It's long been the milk that pays, in the form of the checks farmers receive from dairy wholesalers who bottle it or turn it to cheese and other products. But now the Audets _ brothers Eugene, Ernie and Earl and their wives _ have figured out a way to make the manure pay as well. They're using it to generate electricity. June 25, 2006 AP

Sweden’s biomethane tour shows Californians the promise of renewable fuels

The Swedish biomethane industry is thriving, reports Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh, who joined with a dozen California industry and government leaders on a recent tour that highlighted the country’s success in converting bio-waste into renewable transportation and stationary energy. The trip featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between California and the Swedish government on renewable energy issues. Delegation members included Joseph Desmond, under secretary of energy affairs for the California Resources Agency; James Boyd, commissioner of the California Energy Commission; Steve Larson, executive officer of the California Public Utilities Commission; Bill Jones, former California Secretary of State and currently chairman of Pacific Ethanol Corporation; and Chuck Ahlem, a founding partner of Hilmar Cheese Co. June 23, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Sweden’s biomethane tour shows Californians the promise of renewable fuels

The Swedish biomethane industry is thriving, reports Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh, who joined with a dozen California industry and government leaders on a recent tour that highlighted the country’s success in converting bio-waste into renewable transportation and stationary energy. The trip featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between California and the Swedish government on renewable energy issues.  June 23, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update
 

Researchers turn cow manure into fuel

Researchers at the Vehicle Research Institute at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., have developed a way to make cow manure power cars. To begin, the researchers pump manure into a storage tank. After 21 days, they siphon floating methane out of the tank using garden hoses. The methane is then purified to remove other gases before it is pumped into a car. The manure from one cow creates enough methane to power a natural-gas car for 15 miles. The manure from 20 cows could power a car for 300 miles. The technology could mean cheaper fuel for many drivers. Currently, the natural gas created from the manure is one-fifth the price of regular gasoline at the pump, said Eric Leonhardt, an engineering technology professor and director of the Vehicle Research Institute. May 31, 2006 ABC News

Converting trash gas into energy gold

The trash you toss in the garbage could end up powering your lights, computer and washing machine, because in the world of alternative energy, one man's trash is another man's treasure trove of fuel. With the growing concern for U.S. dependence on foreign oil and recognition of shrinking fossil fuel reserves, new attention is being focused on renewable sources of energy. One such source that already is being converted to electricity is landfill gas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every person in America produces an average of 4.5 pounds of garbage per day. Much of that trash goes into landfills, which are the largest human-related source of methane in the United States. May 25, 2006 CNN

Ag, biofuels compatible, group says. Sustainable Conservation: Farms can make a profit and protect environment

As guests munched on cheese, fruit and other snacks, Ladi Asgill held up a jar of canola oil for all to see. Asgill, speaking at Thursday's grand opening of Sustainable Conservation's branch office in Modesto, said canola is one of the state's most promising sources of energy from farm products. "We're very excited about the prospects for biofuels in California," said Asgill, a project manager for the San Francisco-based group. "The era of the $70barrel of crude oil has made this possible." Sustainable Conservation works with farmers and other businesspeople on ways they can protect the environment while still making a profit. It set up the Modesto office — in the Great Valley Center building on Needham Street — to be close to farmers in the Central Valley.  May 20, 2006 Modesto Bee

Renewable energy and role of dairy discussed at Spring Ag Outlook Forum

More than 200 participants in this year's 2006 Spring Ag Outlook Forum in Visalia heard speakers explain why the central San Joaquin Valley — with its thousands of cows and sunny days — is well poised to take advantage of renewable energy. The presence of a huge dairy industry in the Valley will be a factor in Pacific Ethanol's success, Bill Jones said, because the company can buy corn, mostly from the Midwest, extract ethanol and then sell what is left — the "wet distillers grain" — to dairy operators for nutritious feed to cattle. Just as cows bring more corn to the Valley, they also bring more manure, and that was a topic for Carl Morris, general manager and chief operating officer for Joseph Gallo Farms in Atwater. Morris talked of the dairy's installation of a methane digester, powered by manure that provides electricity for making cheese and uses plant waste water to enhance methane production. April 28, 2006 Fresno Bee

The next energy source: Barnyard animals

Save America's energy. Feed a cow. That pretty much sums up the work of Microgy, which has discovered that manure and other waste products from cows, pigs and other livestock is a largely untapped source of energy in the United States. The company, a subsidiary of Portsmouth, N.H.-based Environmental Power Corp., builds industrial-sized "digesters" that, through heat and microbes, reduce mountains of waste into gas or electricity that can be reused on the farm or sold on the open market. April 10, 2006 CNETNews.com

Looking for help in financing anaerobic digesters

The interest in anaerobic digesters is growing rapidly among livestock producers. Dairy farms in particular see the developing technology as a viable way to handle manure. One of the biggest challenges right now is getting financing for construction of a digester. Mark Binversie is with Investors Community Bank, he is one of three bankers that have been trying to convince the Wisconsin State Legislature to provide some type of program to help share the risk. “The technology has come a long ways,” says Binversie, “But it has a long ways to go yet.”  March 29, 2006 Brownfield Ag News

Power struggle. Cow power Politics

As Jake de Raadt corrects the start-up glitches in his plug-flow anaerobic digester, the Lemoore, Calif., dairy producer has high hopes for his $750,000 investment. If all goes as he hopes, the methane digester will regularly generate 130 kilowatts (kw) of electricity an hour. That will power much of his dairy's energy needs and shave off about $2,000 from his monthly energy bill. He also expects the manure-handling system to reduce methane gas emissions and odors at his 6-year-old dairy, where he milks 850 cows. But most of all, de Raadt hopes his local utility company will someday pay him for the excess power his digester generates but doesn't use. "I'd like to sell more power to them," he says. "That's what would really make this methane digester project fly." March 17, 2006 Dairy Today

A Load of Manure

Talk of reducing our dependence on foreign oil through alternative energy sources like biomass is everywhere these days — even on our president's lips. As a livestock farmer and environmental lawyer, I've paid particular attention to discussion about using manure as "green power." The idea sounds appealing, but power from manure turns out to be a poor source of energy. Unlike solar or wind, it can create more environmental problems than it solves. And it ends up subsidizing large agribusiness. That's why energy from manure should really be considered a form of "brown power.” Government officials tout such projects as energy generation that benefits both nature and agriculture, and are pouring public funds into them. Few seem to question whether the projects make economic or environmental sense. And there are plenty of questions that need to be addressed. For starters, manure simply does not contain enough energy to produce cost-effective power. Studies show that manure power projects are probably not viable without large public subsidies and are likely to remain so. March 4, 2006 NY Times Opinion Piece

San Francisco looking to harness the power of dog droppings. Local garbage hauling company will host pilot energy program

City officials are hoping to harness the power of dog doo. San Franciscans already recycle two-thirds of their garbage, but in this dog-friendly town, animal feces make up nearly 4 percent of residential waste, or 6,500 tons a year — nearly as much as disposable diapers, according to the city. Within the next few months, Norcal Waste, a garbage hauling company that collects San Francisco's trash, will begin a pilot program under which it will use biodegradable bags and dog-waste carts to pick up droppings at a popular dog park. The droppings will be tossed into a contraption called a methane digester, which is basically a tank in which bacteria feed on feces for weeks to create methane gas. The methane could then be piped directly to a gas stove, heater, turbine or anything else powered by natural gas. It can also be used to generate electricity.  Feb. 22, 2006 AP

Energy Commission seeks further study of California dairy methane power systems

The California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research program has released a Request for Proposal to quantify, through a combination of field and laboratory studies, the technical and environmental performances of California dairy power systems, including manure and effluent handling, anaerobic digestion, and biogas to electricity generation processes. A pre-bid conference has been scheduled on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room 3 of the Energy Commission.  Feb. 3, 2006 WUD Weekly News Update

Dairy Farmers Turning Manure Into Money

When dairy farmer Gary Boyke looks out at the manure his herd produces, he sees the prospect of profits rather than waste, odors and water pollution. Boyke is one of a growing number of farmers turning animal waste into energy, and he's spreading the word to others. He will be among those giving presentations at a conference Jan. 31 in Madison on ways farmers can turn manure into money. Boyke, who has 1,300 cows on his Vir-Clar Farm near Fond du Lac, said he gets two to three times the energy he needs with an anaerobic digester, which uses bacteria on manure to produce a gas containing methane to power generators. Jan. 27, 2006 AP

California Climate Action registry developing dairy protocols

California has some of the nation's strictest environmental laws to protect air and water, and it is taking the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by attracting businesses to join the California Climate Action Registry. A "carrot" is extended to businesses that join the California Climate Action Registry, an entity to create a state-recognized baseline of emissions and to encourage early actions for reductions. The registry is currently developing protocols for the state's dairy industry to reduce emissions from the livestock waste of about 2 million dairy cows. Vice president of business development for the registry Joel Levinson's message to major dairy farmers is that their efforts to curb emissions through the use of anaerobic digesters and other methods could mean greener monetary pastures. "You may very well have a revenue opportunity here," said "It is not clear what is going to be regulated and what is going to be voluntary offset outside the cap, but it is very possible that dairies won't be in the first group that CARB regulates but that there will be the type of things where people can do voluntary reduction projects and then sell them to regulated entities. So if you have a large dairy, you may have a new revenue stream potential." Jan. 4, 2007 Capital Press

Dairy waste becomes resource. Program tells producers how to make money from manure or use it to cut costs.

A dozen dairy farmers on Thursday shared their stories on the campus of California State University, Fresno, about what they do when manure happens, emphasizing how to turn waste into a money-saver while complying with closer government regulations. "I've heard the word 'waste' a lot here," said Art Darling, executive director of Sunshine State Milk Producers in Florida, the final speaker at the program that drew about 100 people. "We should try not to use that term. What we have is a resource."  Dec. 9, 2005 Fresno Bee

Run Your Car on Cow Fuel, Canadian Company Says

A Canadian company has an idea for motorists worried about global warming -- put a cow in your tank. A C$14 million ($12 million) factory near Montreal started producing "biodiesel" fuel two weeks ago from the bones, innards and other parts of farm animals such as cattle, pigs or chickens that Canadians do not eat. "We're using animal waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said marketing director Ron Wardrop of Rothsay, which runs the plant. "We need more of this type of thing," he said at the plant by the St. Lawrence River, near Montreal where 189 nations are meeting this week to work out how to curb climate change widely blamed on emissions of heat-trapping gases from fossil fuels. Dec. 2, 2005 Reuters

Gallo methane digester on World Wide Panorama website

The heart of the Joseph Gallo Farms methane digester system - - a seven-acre covered lagoon that looks like a gigantic air mattress - - is an impressive sight to behold, but one limited to the few visitors who can travel out to the dairy in rural Merced County. Now, thanks to the worldwide web and an innovative panoramic photography project hosted by UC Berkley’s Geography Computing Facility, the lagoon and its companion manure separator tower are just a mouse click away. Nov. 11, 2005 WUD Weekly News Update

Methane digesters find roadblocks in long payback periods

Six methane digester projects have been completed under a state renewable energy grant program at an average cost of slightly more than $1 million each, and they face an average payback period of more than 18 years, Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh told a dairy manure energy seminar in Tulare this week. The payback period is lowered to nine years with the grant funding, but still the lengthy payback period is one of the major obstacles to wider adoption of the technology by dairy producers, pointed out Marsh. Nov. 11, 2005 WUD Weekly News Update

California upbeat over manure alternatives

Alternative uses of cow manure, long on promise and perhaps short on execution, have been gaining traction. In Lindsay, the environmental and economic benefits of converting dairy cow manure into biogas were displayed Oct. 20 when the Hilarides Dairy, of Tulare County, Calif., opened its gates to show off its methane digester. Nov. 10, 2005 Capital Press

U.S., International Partners Pledge Faster Greenhouse Gas Reductions with Methane Program -

United States government officials and their counterparts in 16 countries committed to accelerated action to recover and use methane as a clean energy source at the second annual Methane to Markets Partnership meeting, which concluded Nov. 4. Key actions include the addition of Ecuador as the 17th member of the partnership and a commitment from the partners to increase participating countries and the number of projects worldwide. Nov. 8, 2005 EPA Press Release

Cows could fuel 1 million cars

California dairies churn out more than $4 billion in high-quality milk and dairy products annually, providing fuel for healthy, growing bodies. An exciting new study is fueling optimism that dairies can do more than fill cereal bowls and drinking glasses: they can be powerhouses of renewable energy to fill your car’s gas tank. A coalition of dairy, energy and environmental groups conducted the study, funded by USDA Rural Development in California, to determine the potential of using dairy manure to produce biomethane. The study, “Biomethane from Dairy Waste: A Sourcebook for the Production and Use of Renewable Natural Gas in California,” estimates that about 18 billion cubic feet of methane could be produced from the state’s 1.7 million cows, equivalent to 150 million gallons of gasoline. Oct. 28, 2005 Capital Press

Biodiesel Working Its Way into the Nation's Fuel Supply

BOnly three weeks after Governor Schwarzenegger of California signed into law a proposal authored by State Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) that would allow public agencies and utilities to use vehicles that run off of biodiesel and biodiesel blends, the American Trucking Association advocates the use of biodiesel. On October 21, 2005, the American Trucking Associations' Board of Directors revised ATA's alternative fuels policy to advocate the use of biodiesel in blends up to 5 percent as part of the national diesel fuel standard. Oct. 27, 2005 Environmental News Network

Lindsay dairy shows off methane powered generators

The Hilarides dairy in Lindsay, Tulare County, opened its doors Thursday to display its methane gas-powered generators and gave a crowd of nearly 100 visitors a glimpse of how dairy manure is powering dairy operations while benefiting the environment. CDFA Undersecretary A. J. Yates was among the many officials on hand who was impressed with the technology. He praised owner Rob Hilarides for “turning a waste product into an energy product.” Oct. 21, 2005 Weekly News Update Western United Dairymen

Dairy electrified by manure. Lindsay operation shows off environmentally friendly generators that use methane gas.

Zhiqin Zhang, a specialist with the California Energy Commission, offered a tongue-in-cheek apology Thursday during the showcasing of a machine that uses methane from manure to generate electrical power at a Lindsay dairy. "I apologize for the low estimate on the power it would generate," Zhang said, grinning. From the audience where nearly 100 visitors — including many elected officials — sat on bales of straw, owner Rob Hilarides said, "It's a nice problem to have."  Oct. 21, 2005 Fresno Bee

Gov. Schwarzenegger signs net metering legislation

 Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed legislation sponsored by Western Untied Dairymen that extends an innovative state law allowing the net electricity generated by a biogas electrical customer-generator to be credited against electricity consumed. Oct. 7, 2005 WUD Press Release

Got gas? Cows could fuel vehicles. Study touts turning dairy manure into biomethane that also could generate electricity.

The Valley's huge dairy industry could become a source for truly natural gas — made from the manure of the more than 1 million cows who call it home. That is the gist of a study released Monday by a collaboration of energy, dairy and environmental groups. The study says gas from dairy manure, known as biomethane, could be used to power motor vehicles and generate electricity. Sept. 20, 2005 Fresno Bee

Gas Derived from Cow Manure Offers Renewable Energy, New Study Shows

Methane gas derived from dairy manure offers a substitute for natural gas that can power motor vehicles and generate electricity, according to a study released today by a collaboration of energy, dairy and environmental groups. Known as biomethane, the gas is entirely renewable and environmentally friendly and can be produced locally. Sept. 19, 2005 WUD Press Release

Methane digester tax credit explanation

Additional details have been released concerning the tax credit for electricity generated from livestock waste nutrients which was included in the energy legislation passed by Congress in August 2005.  Aug. 26, 2005 WUD Weekly News Update

Syracuse, New York dairy methane digester project projected at $2.5 million

A Syracuse, New York dairy methane project will cost  $2.5 million with the cost covered by a New York State grant and loan. Syracuse University New York, Canton received a $1,000,000 grant from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority. A $1.5 million loan from the New York Power Authority will cover the rest. "That loan will be paid back due to the energy savings that we will see from this digester. We estimate the energy savings will be realized over a 5 to 6 year period," said Jeremy Brown, Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Aug. 24, 2005 Channel 10 News Syracuse.

San Diego dairy methane digester launched

The fifth methane digester to be funded through a state program administered by Western United Resource Development was officially recognized this week in a ceremony held at the Van Ommering dairy in Lakeside, San Diego County. The opening was well attended by state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, local and state officials, as well as the media, and spotlighted the pros and cons of developing the much heralded technology.  July 25, 2005

Farmers get charge out of cow manure. Methane is converted into electrical power

Tons of cow manure won't be going to waste at the Van Ommering dairy. The family farm is the fifth in California – and the first in San Diego County – to make use of a technology that converts the gases produced by cow manure into electricity. Rob and Dave Van Ommering, two brothers who operate the dairy, began running the equipment in March and say their most recent electric bill was half the usual amount. July 24, 2005 San Diego Union-Tribune

San Diego County methane digester celebrates opening July 25

The Van Ommering Dairy, located in Lakeside, San Diego County, will demonstrate how cow manure is utilized to produce electrical power when it hosts a Monday, July 25, ceremony marking the operation of its methane gas-powered electrical generator. The grand opening and dedication of the cow manure-powered generator marks the fifth such generator to be launched in California under the state’s innovative renewable energy grant program. July 21, 2005

USDA Guaranteed Loan Funds Available for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Projects

USDA Rural Development today announced that up to an estimated $200 million in guaranteed loan funds are now available for investments in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements by agriculture producers and rural small businesses.  The $200 million ($11.4 million in actual cost to the government) is part of the $22.8 million announcement made in March of 2005 by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. July 15, 2005 USDA press release.

Canada Joins International Effort to Cut Methane Emissions

Canada is joining 15 other nations to cut emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas, methane, by using it to generate heat and power rather than letting it escape into the atmosphere.  On July 14, Canada became the 16th member of EPA's Methane to Markets Partnership, an international initiative that promotes the recovery and use of methane, prevents greenhouse gas emissions, and provides valuable sources of clean energy to communities, businesses and industry. July 14, 2005 EPA press release.

USDA DESIGNATES FIRST BIOBASED ITEMS FOR FEDERAL PROCUREMENT

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the first items to be designated for procurement by all federal agencies under the Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program, created by the 2002 Farm Bill. July 5, 2005 USDA press release.

Lacrosse, Wisconsin dairy dedicates first manure-powered plant

Dairyland Power is really living up to its name. This week, the La Crosse-based cooperative dedicated its first cow-powered generating plant in Dunn County, north of Eau Claire. And more are coming soon. At Five Star Farms, manure produced by Lee Johnson's 900 milk cows now generates enough renewable energy to power 600 homes. June 25, 2005 La Crosse Tribune

Wisconsin anaerobic digester to be dedicated

Environmental Power Corporation, in collaboration with Dairyland Power Cooperative, is formally commissioning the first of its electricity generating anaerobic digester systems. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on June 22, at the Five Star Dairy in Elk Mound, WI, to commemorate this milestone. June 16, 2005 Business Wire

New Tax Credit Sparks First Biodiesel Plant in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed into law last week a bill that will provide tax credits for the production of biodiesel within the state, creating an incentive that has already spurred construction of the state's first biodiesel facility. House Bill 1398 will provide a tax credit of 20 cents per gallon of biodiesel for the first five years of production, up to $5 million per year. It applies to new and expanded facilities producing at least 25 percent of their capacity. Biodiesel plants placed into production after 2012 will earn a smaller tax credit: 7.5 cents per gallon for the first three years of production, capped at $750,000 per year. June 15, 2005

Cows from Minnesota dairy farm produce milk as well as energy

A Minnesota dairy farm is making history by becoming the first demonstration project in the world to run a hydrogen fuel cell from the biogas captured from dairy cows. The project is being conducted at the Haubenschild family farm near Princeton, Minn. June 8, 2005 Tri-State Neighbor South Dakota.
 

Digesters face slow acceptance

“Methane digesters don’t get the recognition of wind and solar,” said Alan Dusault, of Sustainable Conservation. “That’s because manure is not sexy.” Little by little, cow-poop power is getting respect, as 12 digesters will be bought on line and operational by the end of the year. Castelanelli Dairy in Lodi installed one this year. The Environmental Protection Agency showcased the operation where the digester is generating electricity on the farm. There are two in the Tulare area with 260-kilowatt capacity, one in San Diego County and one in San Bernardino County. June 3, 2005 Capital Press

Digester reaping benefits for Salem, Oregon dairy

Three years into turning dairy waste into renewable energy, Salem dairyman Bernie Faber is more excited over the side benefits generated from the state’s only operating methane digester than the energy being produced. The anaerobic digester, built by Portland General Electric as an experimental project on Faber’s 350-cow dairy, has reduced the manure solids Faber handles, extended the duration Faber can go before pulling liquid from his lagoon, and removed phosphorus from the manure. June 3, 2005 Capital Press
 

Methane meter law up for renewal

A law for establishing net metering for methane digester projects was established in 2002 and is up for renewal. Law requires the state’s three largest investor-owned utilities offer net metering to new dairy farms that install digesters with a capacity of 1 megawatt or less, according to the California Energy Commission.  June 3, 2005 Capital Press

Biomass Adds to Ethanol Debate

Federal subsidies have made growing corn for ethanol a profitable venture for Corn Belt farmers while irking free-market advocates. Now, new technology for processing biomass from widely available plant and tree residue could increase Beltway bickering over ethanol funding. June 2, 2005 Wired Magazine  
 

Net metering bill rolls through Assembly

Legislation sponsored by Western United Dairymen to extend an innovative state law that would allow the net electricity generated by a biogas electrical customer-generator to be credited against electricity consumed was unanimously approved this week by the Assembly on a 78-0 vote. May 27, 2005 WUD Weekly News Update