Michigan Dairy Farm To Produce Energy From Manure

A grant has been awarded to a large dairy operation in a Michigan County to build a bio-digester to both produce electricity and reduce pollution that officials hope will become widespread in the future.

2 minute read

October 26, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The Grand Valley State University's (GVSU) alternative energy center in Muskegon announced that it will award the largest dairy operation in Muskegon County, MI, a $1 million state grant to develop a manure-to-electricity facility, commonly known as a 'bio-digester'. The sprawling den Dulk Dairy will contribute $1.2 million toward the facility as well.

"The plant offers an environmentally friendly disposal system for factory farm wastes and produces electricity from a renewable "green" fuel source."

"Currently, waste from den Dulk -- a "concentrated animal feeding operation" or CAFO, commonly called a factory farm -- is stored onsite and is eventually spread on farm fields across West Michigan. Such practices cause environmental problems with runoff into rivers and streams, environmentalists and state regulators say.

"The planned European bio-digester is a demonstration project that Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC)officials hope will be repeated across West Michigan and the state. "

The plant offers an environmentally friendly disposal system for factory farm wastes and produces electricity from a renewable "green" fuel source.

"The plant -- with construction slated for later this fall or early next spring -- would use the manure from 700 to 1,000 of the den Dulk Dairy cows. Den Dulk reportedly has approximately 4,000 cows on the farm on Wunsch Road in Ravenna Township and produces 155 million pounds of manure annually, according to state records."

Den Dulk stated,"In 10 years it's going to be hard to have a dairy farm without a digester."

However, not all dairies appear to be interested.

Country Dairy, with 300-500 dairy cows, indicated that it lacked "the economies of scale" to make the digester a profitable investment.

Thanks to Yvonne Tasker-Rothenberg via Sierra Club CAFO listserv

Friday, October 20, 2006 in Muskegon Chronicle

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.