SENNETT - Cayuga County received $1.5 million Monday morning for a project that federal, state and local officials believe will benefit business and environmental sectors in the area.
Mark Genito / The Citizen
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert speaks Monday to county officials and residents at a grant presentation of $500,000 to the Cayuga County Public Power Agency at the Soil and Water Conservation District building in Sennett.
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert speaks Monday to county officials and residents at a grant presentation of $500,000 to the Cayuga County Public Power Agency at the Soil and Water Conservation District building in Sennett.
A regional methane digester, which has an anticipated groundbreaking date of spring 2006, will use manure from area farms and food processing waste to power several county office buildings on County House Road, where the digester will be located.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority presented the Cayuga County Soil and Water District with a check for $1 million; the U.S. Department of Agriculture handed the county's public utility agency another for $500,000.
That brings the total funds accumulated to roughly $2 million of the anticipated $3.2 million capital costs, said Jim Hotaling, executive director of the Soil and Water District.
Ed Kear, senior project manager with NYSERDA, lauded the digester for its uniqueness.
There are currently 20 farm-related digester projects at various stages throughout New York state, but nationwide, there are only one or two digesters like the one being proposed in Cayuga County, he said. The proposed digester uses advanced technology from Europe that ensures the facility is self-cleaning.
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, praised Cayuga County for its alternative energy initiatives.
“You guys are way ahead of the pack,” Boehlert said. “You're talking about the issues that are critically important for all Americans.”
Boehlert stressed the need for projects like the digester in order to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. He also commended the county for pursuing a project that addresses the needs of its strong agricultural base.
Methane digesters help to reduce manure odor, a common concern for the many dairy farms in the region. After going through biological processes in the digester, farmers will be able to spread the manure in liquid or solid form without having to worry about the smell.
Steve Cuddeback, a county legislator and chairman of the Soil and Water District's board of directors, said the digester would not only help dairy farmers manage waste but would allow farmers with no cows to use the nutrient-rich manure on their fields.
Cuddeback, who hopes for more regional digesters in the future, expressed his excitement for the methane that will power the county jail, nursing home and other district offices. Hotaling estimated that energy costs at these locations could be reduced by about 20 percent, and perhaps more in the future.
Cheap, alternative energy could be both a boost for tourism and industry, Cuddeback said, noting that businesses may be more attracted to the area with the offering of such incentives.
“We'll give you cheap power,” Cuddeback said. “You give us jobs.”
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority presented the Cayuga County Soil and Water District with a check for $1 million; the U.S. Department of Agriculture handed the county's public utility agency another for $500,000.
That brings the total funds accumulated to roughly $2 million of the anticipated $3.2 million capital costs, said Jim Hotaling, executive director of the Soil and Water District.
Ed Kear, senior project manager with NYSERDA, lauded the digester for its uniqueness.
There are currently 20 farm-related digester projects at various stages throughout New York state, but nationwide, there are only one or two digesters like the one being proposed in Cayuga County, he said. The proposed digester uses advanced technology from Europe that ensures the facility is self-cleaning.
Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, praised Cayuga County for its alternative energy initiatives.
“You guys are way ahead of the pack,” Boehlert said. “You're talking about the issues that are critically important for all Americans.”
Boehlert stressed the need for projects like the digester in order to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. He also commended the county for pursuing a project that addresses the needs of its strong agricultural base.
Methane digesters help to reduce manure odor, a common concern for the many dairy farms in the region. After going through biological processes in the digester, farmers will be able to spread the manure in liquid or solid form without having to worry about the smell.
Steve Cuddeback, a county legislator and chairman of the Soil and Water District's board of directors, said the digester would not only help dairy farmers manage waste but would allow farmers with no cows to use the nutrient-rich manure on their fields.
Cuddeback, who hopes for more regional digesters in the future, expressed his excitement for the methane that will power the county jail, nursing home and other district offices. Hotaling estimated that energy costs at these locations could be reduced by about 20 percent, and perhaps more in the future.
Cheap, alternative energy could be both a boost for tourism and industry, Cuddeback said, noting that businesses may be more attracted to the area with the offering of such incentives.
“We'll give you cheap power,” Cuddeback said. “You give us jobs.”
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.