Cargill to Convert Waste to Energy on Idaho Dairy Farm
The technology, which is being funded by Cargill’s Environmental Finance group, will generate carbon credits from reduced methane emissions into the atmosphere. The credits can be sold on global climate exchanges.
05/09/07 Cargill announced plans to build and operate an anaerobic digester on Bettencourt Dairy Farm’s new 10,000-cow farm here. The digester will convert cow effluent into 2.4 megawatts of power per year to be sold back into the local power grid. Co-products from the process will be made into organic fertilizer and digested solids for animal bedding.
The technology, which is being funded by Cargill’s Environmental Finance group, will generate carbon credits from reduced methane emissions into the atmosphere. The credits can be sold on global climate exchanges.
“We are excited to be working with Cargill to develop this innovative means of manure management,” said Bettencourt Chief Financial Officer Rick Onaindia. “The digester will substantially reduce odors while creating a renewable source of electricity and reducing our overall operating costs. Cargill has made it easy for us by arranging the financing, coordinating the permitting and overseeing the construction. That allows us to concentrate on what we’re here for, which is running a world-class dairy farm.”
The digester, currently being built, should be installed by Thanksgiving, with registration of the project completed by the second quarter of 2008. This will be the first of several disgester projects planned for various Bettencourt locations.
“Bettencourt should be congratulated for its proactive approach to environmental stewardship,” said Cargill Environmental Finance-- North America General Manager Mike Rohlfsen. “This approach is far beyond what regulations require for responsible dairy management. It sets a new standard for the dairy industry in Idaho and elsewhere.”
