Driving Participation in Waste-To-Energy

A reader, part of the labor union IBEW 1933 utility workers in Southwest Florida, asks my opinion on a waste-to-energy matter:

I represent Glades Electric Coop (18000 meters and old style poor coop) and LCEC (200500 meters and more modern wealthy coop).  I personally believe the transition to renewables with interaction of the existing grid is a gift waiting to happen. I would like your thoughts on how to get members of theses coops (especially progressive renewable believers) to start participating in the trustee structures of the coops.

I’m afraid I’m not going to be of too much help–beyond rooting for you, that is. 

I’m a big believer in waste-to-energy (WTE), as a) it can be accomplished with very few emissions and b) certain waste streams (animal waste among them) are extremely energy-rich.  Most importantly, c) each waste stream needs to go somewhere, and, by definition, is currently unwanted—by virtue of its odor, concentration of pathogens, or, on a good day, because it takes up room that we wish we could use for something else.

How to motivate farmers to participate in manure-to-energy projects?  Here’s my best guess, not that it will do you much good: wait until the cost of manure disposal rises to a point that WTE is financially attractive.

In certain regions, that’s happening now because public outcry has motivated local government to levy stiff taxes or fines on those whose businesses create piles/lakes of untreated manure.  For example, there are huge lakes all over Ohio (the chicken-farming Mecca of North America) that are so polluted that, not only is swimming and boating out of the question, but odor and disease is spreading many miles downwind/downstream.

Locals have (rightfully) called upon government to force these mega-chicken ranches to dispose of these millions of tons of chicken manure in a more sanitary fashion.  Up until recently, these farmers would have been quite happy to make their problem their neighbors’ problem.  Now, all of a sudden, WTE makes sense.

Sadly, that’s the only force that I see that has any real chance of success.

I hope you’ll stay in touch with us and keep us updated on your progress.