The Governor’s Renewable Agricultural Energy Council outlined a series of projects it would like to undertake this year as well as organized into six subcommittees.

Among the projects for this year are: developing model methane digesters for farms of varying sizes, inventorying successful renewable energy projects/operations, creating a library of proven technologies and business models, developing a comprehensive list of funding sources, forming a buyer/seller consortium for biodiesel products and becoming active in supporting local agricultural renewable energy projects around the state.

The agency updates during the meeting included one from the Natural Resource Conservation Service which said they still have funding available for projects like on-farm digesters, soy oil extraction, geothermal and other renewable energy production under Section 9006 of the federal Farm Bill. (Click here for PA contact information.)

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty reported on efforts to implement the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, activities of the PA Energy Development Authority and noted that DEP supports state legislation to ban the gasoline additive MTBE, in part, to will help create new markets for biofuel products like ethanol in Pennsylvania.

Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff noted that this year’s Farm Show in Harrisburg will feature a special Pennsylvania Energy Harvest display that will educate farmers and the public about native sources of renewable energy and help to connect companies interested in generating energy on farms with the farmers who can provide those resources.

The next meeting of the Council is expected to be in March.

1/6/2006