Spotlight - Energy Harvest Grant Helping Cumberland County Farm Save, Produce Energy

Officials toured a Cumberland County farm this week to see first hand how an Energy Harvest Grant is helping to reduce emissions and energy costs while generating power. The Mains Dairy Farm in Newville converts manure into electrical energy through the anaerobic digestion process.

 

The Mains Farm anaerobic digester project was awarded partial funding from the Energy Harvest Grant with matching funds provided by the Sustainable Energy Fund, a private, non-profit organization based in the Lehigh Valley.

 

SEF strategically invests in renewable energy projects, energy-efficiency projects, and energy education initiatives. SEF has contributed $1 million to fund biomass-to-energy projects.

 

The Mains Dairy Farm has grown its dairy herd to approximately 750 cows. This digester system will greatly reduce, or eliminate odor emissions from the farm and may reduce energy costs up to 90 percent. Biogas generated by the digester will generate more than 670,000 kilowatt-hours per year for on-farm use and sale to the PJM (electric grid).

 

Environmental Management Group International, Inc, a Media, Pennsylvania-based company provides a wide range of environmental science and engineering services to private industry and government clients. One of many advanced technology services, EMG’s biomass project converts manure into electrical energy through the anaerobic digestion process. This is a cost-effective and efficient solution for waste management and renewable energy generation for Pennsylvania farmers.

 

For more information on the project, visit the Sustainable Energy Fund website, or the EMG website. Visit the Energy Harvest Grants webpage for more information on this program.