Bill would turn animal waste into usable gas

On Jan. 22, Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson introduced a bill to promote turning animal waste into natural gas.

The Biogas Production Incentives Act of 2009 would give producers a $4.27 tax credit for every million British thermal units of biogas they create.  One British thermal unit is the energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Animal waste can be converted into methane, the main component of natural gas.  Farmers can either use the gas themselves, or they can work with another facility to use the extra fuel in place of natural gas.

 “We already have the technology to break down these wastes to create biogas but it needs encouragement from the federal government to become a commercially-viable alternative to natural gas,” Nelson said in a news release. This new energy source would benefit rural communities and the environment while lessening our dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring energy security.”

Nelson said in press conference call the bill would do two things for rural communities: increase energy and decrease waste.

“I’ve said it before – we don’t want to waste waste.”

The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Mike Johanns, R-Neb.; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; John Thune, R-S.D.; Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

The bill has received support from Nebraska agricultural associations such as the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Inc. and Nebraska Farmer’s Union.

“It’s an incredibly progressive bill to encourage producers to be able to capture methane and turn it into electricity,” said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union. “From an agricultural perspective it provides one added incentive for one additional renewable energy source.”

While Hansen likes the idea of the legislation, he is worried many hog farmers wouldn’t last long enough to take advantage of its help.

Most hog producers, he said, have lost $30 a head since last summer because of the hard economic times.

“No one is in a position to come up with added money to start a (methane-capture) program,” Hansen said.

However, the bill is a step in the right direction, Hansen said.

“The bill represents a positive starting place,” he said. “But it isn’t going to be enough.”

Ryan Boetel contributed to this report.

jennagibson@dailynebraskan.com