The agreement announced by DEP Administrator Lisa Jackson and DoP secretary Tom Vilsack expands the work of the AgStar program, a joint EPA-USDA effort that helps livestock producers reduce methane emissions from their operations.
The collaboration will provide up to $3.9m over the next five years to help the farms overcome obstacles preventing them from recovering and using biogas.
Technical assistance will be provided under the collaboration, in addition to guidance for the construction and evaluation of biogas recovery systems, and expand outreach to livestock producers and assist them with pre-feasibility studies.
Ms Jackson said: “This is a smart way to transform what would be a harmful greenhouse pollutant into a source of renewable energy — and make a profit for American farmers. We have the technology and the expertise, all we need now is to act. The AgStar program brings real benefits to our air and creates new opportunities for our farming community.”
Mr Vilsack said: “The farms and ranches that dot our countryside can contribute greatly to addressing America’s long-term energy challenges and the partnership we are announcing today will not only help generate renewable energy, but provide new income opportunities for farmers and ranchers.”
The AgStar program has helped the country’s farms to operate about 150 on-farm manure digesters at livestock facilities.
