Methane recovery will be the focus of a day-long workshop for livestock producers Feb. 19 at the York Holiday Inn in York.

The “Methane Recovery from Livestock Operations Workshop” is jointly sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agstar, and the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). The day-long event, which runs from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., is free of charge, but there is an optional $20 fee for participants wishing to have break refreshments and lunch.

This workshop is focused on livestock producers and any others who may be interested in learning more about anaerobic digestion and methane capture from manure.

Attendees will be provided with information about the costs and benefits of anaerobic digestion systems. The presentations will help livestock operations determine if these systems would be a good investment. Expert speakers will discuss various types of anaerobic systems and cover a wide range of topics, including:

• First-hand anaerobic digester producer experience from Danny Kluthe of Dodge, Neb.;
• Information on renewable energy development grants and loans in the Farm Bill from USDA representatives;
• Small Renewable Energy Request for Proposals program from NPPD;
• Environmental permitting requirements discussion by NDEQ;
• Feasibility studies presented by Agstar; and
• Potential revenue streams by anaerobic digester systems from carbon markets presented by a representative from the Chicago Climate Exchange.

To end the workshop, a facilitated discussion will be held to identify barriers and opportunities related to methane recovery and use from livestock operations.

Booth spaces are also available for those interested.

For information and to register on-line, visit www.epa.gov/agstar/workshopfeb09.html. Registration deadline is 2 p.m. (CST) Feb. 12, 2009. Limited on-site registration will be available the day of the event, but space is not guaranteed.

Individuals having further questions should contact Peggy Berlowitz at peggy.berlowitz@nebraska.gov or at 402-471-6974. Registration questions can be directed to agstar@erg.com or ERG conference registration services at 781-674-7374.