Cow Power

Story Published: Apr 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM EDT

BRIDGEWATER, Vt. - A Vermont brewery is planning to power
its operations using methane gas from cow manure.
In an Earth Day announcement, the Long-Trail Brewing Company
says it plans to sign a contract to become the largest commercial
customer of Central Vermont Public Service's "Cow-Power" program.
In it, the power company works with farmers to install electricity
generating equipment that uses methane gas that's given off by the
manure.
Customers pay a 4-cent-per-kilowatt-hour premium for the
so-called Cow Power. The premium helps farmers pay for the
equipment.
The brewing company says enrolling in Cow Power is part of its
Eco Brew program that includes the use of heat recovery,
bio-diesel, recycling and water conservation. It says it also sends
eight tons of mash -- a byproduct of the brewing process -- to
local farms every day. Farmers use it to feed their cows.

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