Farms transform cow manure into electricity - California

[Kadie]

Farms transform cow manure into electricity
Saturday, May 15, 2004

From The Associated Press

MARSHALL -- A Marin County dairy has become the latest California farm to generate electricity from cow manure, thanks in part to government programs that grew out of the state's energy crisis three years ago.

The Straus Family Creamery's new $280,000 methane digester, unveiled Thursday, converts manure from its herd of 270 cows into electricity that helps power the farm and creamery.

Environmentalists say the methane digester represents a breakthrough for the state's dairy industry, which leads the nation in the production of milk and cheese.

The technology not only provides an alternative form of energy, but helps cut emissions of methane -- a greenhouse gas far more damaging to the ozone layer than carbon dioxide. It also reduces agricultural runoff that pollutes surface and ground water with coliform bacteria and nitrogen.

more... http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=80353BCC-B5AA-4803-8CBC-3209329C77E0

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. landfills have been doing similar things

they produce energy wich, unlike recycleing, eats energy, watch the penn & Teller Bullshit episode about recycleing

[DBoon]

2. I'm not convinced this is practical

basically something smells about this story.


(no no don't hit me I know its a bad joke)

[soothsayer]

3. shrub admin transforms cow manure into policy (n/t)

[Don_G]

4. It's Only New In The US

Several long-term projects in China, India and Africa has used the same method to generate low-cost electricity for their villages.

The $280,000 tank sounds like a pork-barrel project though.

[NuttyFluffers]

5. yup, heard about this over 6 years ago too in India

cool, we are catching up to rural villages in India, yay!

[RC]

6. Manure to methane to electricity

Princeton, Minn. — For a time last winter, Dennis Haubenschild’s dairy cows were earning him 40 cents a day from their milk and 30 cents a day from their electricity.

Electricity from cows? That’s right.

http://www.auri.org/news/ainjul01/05page.htm

[jcldragon]

7. Solving problems by using our brains?

Whoda thunk it?

[theoceansnerves]

8. this is what they did

in mad max: beyond thunderdome. only they used pigs as the source of manure :D

[Mr. McD]

9. They need to do this in Washington DC. There is enough BS

there these days to fuel half the country.