STATEHOUSE - The Indiana Senate unanimously passed a bill requiring the State Utility Forecasting Group and the state Department of Agriculture to evaluate potential methane opportunities from biomass as a source of renewable energy. Rep. Bill Davis (R-Portland) was a House co-author for the bill. "House Bill 1033 will help Indiana pursue other avenues for renewable resources," said Rep. Davis. "It will require the Indiana Department of Agriculture to explore the use of livestock waste treatment systems and conduct statewide evaluations of potential energy based on these systems." Under the bill, the Utility Forecasting Group would consider the statewide evaluation of these issues in its suggestions for developing renewable energy resources and exploring containment options in the state. Any animal manure, human sewage or food waste will produce methane during anaerobic digestion, which produces biogas. Biogas contains about 60 percent methane that can be used to generate electricity that can be used for heat or as fuel in vehicles. "Methane from biogas is an excellent alternative energy source," Rep. Davis said. "Using methane for energy helps the environment by replacing the use of non-renewable fossil fuels with renewable energy and by "This is a great vehicle for rural areas that have confined feed areas where methane can be easily obtained. It takes is a step closer to finding more sources of renewable energy." -30- Contact Rep. Davis by e-mail at h33@in.gov, by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing him at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Those interested in receiving Rep. Davis' weekly e-newsletter may sign up at www.in.gov/h33. |
