A yellow pipe transports the methane from the digester to the 1MW generator in the mechanical building.
Tillamook County, located on Oregon’s northern coast, is home to a concentration of dairy operations and with them, plenty of cow manure. Advances in the renewable energy industry have proven that an abundance of livestock waste is opportunity for sustainable economic development through domestic energy production. Read more »
Do you have an interest in U.S. energy policy? Are you in the ag sector looking for options in renewable energy? Here’s your chance to ask USDA!
On Thursday, April 5 at 1:30pm ET, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack himself will sit down for 45 minutes to answer YOUR questions on the Department’s renewable energy programs, and how USDA is helping build a secure energy future for America. Just submit them to the @USDA Twitter account using the hashtag #AskUSDA. Read more »
Nebraska news media, including local daily and weekly newspapers and radio stations around the state highlighted the energy tour conducted by USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul on March 23. She met with three Nebraska businesses that were assisted through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for energy efficiency improvements. The visits stemmed from the release of the USDA report highlighting the impact of the program on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Business visits started with Main Street Floral, LLC in Superior, which received a grant of more than $5,000 to install an energy efficient front door, windows and lighting. The improvements also gave the store a new main street updated curb appeal. Monson’s Garage in Sutton utilized a nearly $2,800 grant for energy efficient polyurethane foam roofing and replacing the interior lights. The business realized a savings of 64 percent in year one and 70 percent in the second year after project completion. Greg’s Market in Exeter utilized a more than $11,000 grant to install energy efficient freezers, new compressor units and lighting. The business realized actual energy savings of 46 percent in year one and 33 percent in the second year after project completion. Read more »
The Spotted Bear Ranger Station at the Flathead National Forest in western Montana generates electricity using micro-hydropower. Like a traditional hydro dam, this small water system converts the energy of flowing water into electricity. When the water level of Addition Creek on the ranger station is adequate, the micro-hydropower system produces enough electricity to supply the entire compound which consists of 31 small buildings. Read more »
If you teach it, you must live it. That is the wisdom Steven R. Kochemba adheres to.
Kochemba is a science teacher and the athletic director for the Joseph Badger School District in Trumbull County north of Youngstown, Ohio. He’s also a farmer.
Among his other science courses, Kochemba teaches 8th and 9th graders about energy conservation. While doing research for his classes, “I ran across information about BCAP,” says the educator. Read more »
Freeborn Lumber Company owner John Miller and USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer inside the room that operates Freeborn’s geothermal system. The system was installed with support from USDA Rural Development.
John Miller got the call at 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2007.
Freeborn Lumber Company – the business John’s grandfather bought in 1946 and John purchased from his father in 1986 – was burning to the ground. Less than 30 minutes later, the nearly 100-year-old building was destroyed. Lightning struck a phone line next to a gas line and that was it. Firefighters arrived less than five minutes after getting called, but there was nothing they could do. Read more »
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