A new Cargill Inc. manure-based power plan was given the green light by the Idaho’s Public Utilities Commission. The poo-powered plant will soon begin supplying electricity to Idaho Power Co. Moo-verlous!
The cow manure digester, located at the 10,000-cow Bettencourt Dairy near Jerome, Idaho, is expected to start operating at the end of the month, according to the commission’ approval notice.
It will provide 2.13 megawatts of electricity to Idaho Power. (A single megawatt can supply hundreds of households.)
The Associated Press said the digester and generator facility cost Cargill $8.5 million. Wayzata-based Cargill is looking at building similar power plants in Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, California, Texas, New York and Indiana.
According to the Idaho utilities commission, Cargill and Idaho Power plan to enter into a long-term energy sales agreement after the project has “operated for a reasonable amount of time.”