Rural Tourism in Greece Private Enterprises and Cooperatives
Bioenergy & Rural Electric Cooperatives
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Transcript of Bioenergy & Rural Electric Cooperatives
Bioenergy &Rural Electric Cooperatives
Carol E. Whitman
Agriculture as a Producer and Consumer of EnergyJune 24-25, 2004
Arlington, VA
Co-op BasicsCo-op Basics
• 865 distribution and 65 G&T cooperatives
• Serve 37 million people in 47 states
• Own and maintain 2.4 million miles, or 43%, of the nation’s electric distribution lines, spanning three quarters of the nation's landmass
America’s Electric Cooperative Network
Bioenergy & CooperativesBioenergy & Cooperatives
Co-ops actively support the development of bioenergy and renewables through 5 resolutions, including 2 that specifically support increased use of ethanol and biodiesel.
Why Bioenergy/Renewables?
• Legal requirements• Commitment to community• Environmental stewardship• Interest by cooperative members • Good business
Co-op Experience
• Biodiesel• Biomass to electricity
Biodiesel
• Distribution co-op serving 300,000 people, headquartered in Hughesville, MD
• Historically rural agricultural area
• DOE’s Alternative Fuel Transportation Program
Southern Maryland ElectricCooperative (SMECO)
Biodiesel cont.
State & Alternative Fuel Provider Rule• Acquire new or used AFVs,• Purchase credits from other covered fleets,• Use credits they have earned, or• Purchase biodiesel fuel blends of 20%
biodiesel or greater
Biodiesel cont.
PROs• Satisfied requirements
under AFTP• Supported local
businesses and farmers
CONs• Procurement issues• Reduced fuel economy• Storage issues• Engine warranties
Biodiesel cont.
SMECO’s solution• Environmental credits
Biomass to Electricity
• G&T serving 25 co-ops and 20 municipals (500,000+ people), headquartered in LaCrosse, WI
• 5 states—WI, MN, IA, and MI
• Methane digester plan
Dairyland Power Cooperative
Biomass to Electricity
Renewable Energy Targets• WI RPS of 2.2% by 2011• MN renewable energy objective of 10% by
2015• IA mandatory utility green power option• IL renewable portfolio goal of 15% by 2020
Biomass to Electricity cont.
PROs• Support local
economy• Multiple benefits
– Improved air and water quality
– Pathogen and weed seed reduction
• Proven technology
CONs• High installed capital
costs• Permitting issues • Farm stability critical
to success• Technical
interconnection issues
Biomass to Electricity cont.
Dairyland is working on 5 projects• Wild Rose Dairy, La Farge, WI• Back Farms, Dorchester, WI• Norswiss Farms, Rice Lake WI• Five Star Dairy, Elk Mound, WI• Daley Farms, Rochester, MN
Conclusions
• Some technical constraints to use remain.• Market barriers pose a greater challenge,
e.g.,– Cost– Availability– Performance