The U.S. Forest Service has enrolled its Rutland, VT headquarters in Central Vermont Public Service's Cow Power  -- a program that provides its customers with power generated from methane. CVPS already has 4,000 customers enrolled, and plans to add a fifth farm to its group of energy suppliers within the month.

The Forest Service will pay approximately $2,100 for its electricity annually, including a four-cent premium on energy provided by Cow Power.  That money is used to help farmers join the CVPS program. CVPS customers can receive all, half, or a quarter of their electricity through Cow Power and pay the premium on only the amount of power received through the program. The Forest Service will be receiving a quarter of its power via Cow Power.

Not only does Cow Power make use of a renewable energy source, it also helps to reduce the amount methane released into the air. The methane needed to produce the Forest Service's electricity alone is the equivalent of the emissions of 30 cars. The system also boosts farmers' incomes: CVPS pays the farmers involved in the Cow Power program 95 percent of market value for the energy they sell to CVPS.

The energy doesn't come directly from cows, of course. Cow Power generates electricity by placing manure and other agricultural waste in a sealed concrete tank heated to 101 degrees Fahrenheit — the same temperature as a cow's stomach. Bacteria digest the materials, generating methane, which fuels a generator. Any pathogens, weed seeds or other problematic matter found in the manure is neutralized during the digestive process.

"We work hard to improve the environment every day, so it's natural that we'd want to lessen our environmental impact through Cow Power," said Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. "As we looked at ways to reduce the impact of our energy usage, enrolling in CVPS Cow Power had a great impact. We are supporting a working landscape, helping to improve water quality and removing methane from the atmosphere."

CVPS started the Cow Power program in 2004. Since then, it has received numerous awards and similar programs have gone into development throughout the U.S. Cow Power remains the first manure-based farm-to-consumer energy program, however. Any of CVPS' customers are able to enroll in the Cow Power program and receive at least a portion of their energy from a renewable source. In the event that the Cow Power program cannot meet all of its energy commitments, CVPS has guaranteed that it will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to cover the shortfall.

Photo by Flickr user JelleS