Biogas energy faces hurdles

A creative renewable energy source--turning what otherwise would be considered crap into something useful (power)--is facing obstacles as California tests Biogas power:

By the end of the year, 12 of 14 state-funded pilot projects on dairy power are expected to be operating, and three more dairy generators are planned next year for southern Sacramento County.

The stakes are high, as the state tries to reduce dairy odor, meet renewable energy targets and curtail emissions of greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

But so-called biogas plants, already more than two years behind schedule in California, are not sure bets. The Central Valley's potential for manure-based energy could fizzle without more evidence about environmental benefits, cooperation from power companies and new incentives to turn pollution into power.

Since its creation during the 2001 energy crisis, the Dairy Power Production Program, under the auspices of the California Energy Commission, has been hampered by technical problems at dairies, along with low milk prices and state budget cuts.

Much of the problem has been pinned on power companies, where obstacles became so severe they were addressed by a state Senate committee in August.

Sounds even better than turning lemons into lemonade!