http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1121/p17s01-sten.html

Here is an article on a different energy source. Animal wastes, in this instance cattle. While this article focuses on "cow power" in my part of the country I also know of some sizeable hog operations that could be used in this application.

Makes me wonder what it would take to get livestock producers more aware of this type of technology? In some areas the feasibility of farmers getting together for such a venture?

That is definitely interesting, and there would certainly be a never-ending source of fuel.

Ah Sh......

Methane does burn a lot cleaner than petroleum and Natural Gas.

Research has been done on Chicken waste, Hogs, and Cattle - all forms of live stock produce waste.

The issue of Farmers being aware is a small one. I think the problem is easily solved by more media coverage of the potentials of Methane.

All it would take is one person willing and able to get the word out. I would suggest a flyer or pamphlet which explains the process of methane production, costs and the amount of added work to collect the waste of the live stock (Around here a great deal of animal waste is already collected, piled up and allowed to decompose into compost - making a great stink in the local area) It may not be that much work to load up the waste and ship it to a local Methane power plant.

The Farmers would most likely be willing to joinin in the venture - if they are able. Financially speaking, farming is not one way to get rich quick. Many farmers barely break even, let alone have enough money to invest.

Unless one could show a greater profit from the methane production and the usage of the manure for other products. I fear that Farmers would be unable to do much to start up a methane power plant operation.

The left over material would of course be sold as fertilizer (how many people spread manure on their lawns a year?) But is it enough?

It is a matter of not only getting the information to the farmers, but to the local people as well. Expressing that the initial start-up costs would mean an extra cent or two per kilowatt which would, as time progresses, become a saving of a few cents as the production of methane power matures.

Problem is, not many people are willing or able to make this sort of financial commitment. Americans are notorious for loving to save money and getting the cheapest product they can and screwing the future.

Trust me on this, Americans are willing to buy trashy products without seeing that an additional out lay of money for a better product would save them money in the long run.

Awareness of the future is one of the hurtles that would have to be crossed. Making the general ignorant public desire to save money at a future time would be the most difficult.

David