Summit to Examine 'Electrifying' Potential of Manure Summit to Examine 'Electrifying' Potential of Manure U.S. Newswire 14 May 12:30 Turning Waste Into Watts; Summit to Examine 'Electrifying' Potential of Manure To: National and Assignment Desks, Environment Reporter Contact: Lori Burkhammer of WEF, 703-684-2400, ext. 7020 Ron Nichols of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 541-967-5925, ext. 114 ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- It sounds like something that's best treated with an antacid. But many experts believe anaerobic digestion (AD) is a microbiological powerhouse that could be the key to unlocking the "electrifying power of manure." It could also help solve some persistent environmental issues associated with animal agriculture production. AD technology holds such promise that a national summit is planned for June 2 - 4 at the Hilton North Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina to explore ways that it can be used within the context of animal waste management, rural economic development, and environmental improvement. Scientists, engineers, and government and industry officials will examine the opportunities for public and private sectors to work together to make the most of this technology. In the U.S., approximately 250 million dry tons of animal manure is produced yearly. Much of it is applied to farm fields, but many agricultural sites are already saturated with nutrients, making it increasingly necessary to reduce waste solids volume and to transport the manure off-site for use or disposal. One potential solution to this issue is anaerobic digester technology -- small-scale power plants that can be constructed on livestock farms. By controlling the environment of bacteria in a covered tank of manure, farmers can harness the gas that is produced as the bacteria interact with the manure and other bacteria. The gas is burned to create electricity, which can then be used to power the farm, or even provide excess energy to the community. In the process, waste volume, odors and pathogens are reduced. AD also helps control the use or disposal of nitrogen that could adversely impact water quality. The dilemma for scientists, policy makers and industry professionals is how to make wider use of this technology. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Water Environment Federation sponsor the summit. It will provide a forum for examining the opportunities for public and private sectors to work together to facilitate digester adoption within the context of animal waste management, rural economic development, and environmental improvement. "This is an exciting time for renewable fuels," said USDA's Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr. "It is a time when our nation is looking to our farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses for their knowledge and resources in order to help America become energy independent and more economically strong," he said. Conference co-chair, Ted Payseur (Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.), said that in addition to providing a renewable energy source, AD technology offers tremendous opportunities for reducing air and water quality issues associated with animal agriculture production. According to Payseur, "this national summit will provide a forum to bring the industry's best and brightest together to maximize the use of the technology for both energy production and environmental protection." For more information on attending the summit, contact the Water Environment Federation at confinfo@wef.org, call: 1-800-666-0206, or visit the WEF web site at http://www.wef.org/Conferences/. ------ NOTE TO EDITORS: Media representatives interested in attending the conference can do so free of charge, but must contact Lori Burkhammer, Water Environment Federation 703-684-2400 ext. 7020 or e-mail lburkhammer@wef.org to register. Media representatives interested in receiving the pre-conference information kit should contact Lori Burkhammer, Water Environment Federation 703-684-2400 ext. 7020 or e-mail lburkhammer(At)wef.org or Ron Nichols, NRCS, 541-967-5925 ext. 114 or e-mail ron.nichols@or.usda.gov . Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 79 Member Associations in over 30 countries. http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 05/14 12:30 Copyright 2003, U.S. Newswire