Today, Clean Fuel Partners, LLC (Clean Fuel) announced it has purchased Dane County’s biodigester facility from Clear Horizons.
“We look forward to beginning the next chapter in this facility’s history,” said John Haeckel, Clean Fuel CEO. “Significant capital investment has already occurred in an effort to bring it up to design specs.”
The biodigester facility, now owned by Clean Fuel, is privately operated on lease from Dane County.
The sale follows approvals from the Dane County Board.
“We look forward to partnering with County Executive Parisi and the Dane County Board,” said Haeckel.
Clean Fuel’s plans involve extending the recovery process put in place by Clear Horizons to bring the facility to its full design capability and pursuing additional opportunities to enhance operations while protecting the environment. The company will explore recovering more nutrients from manure through the use of a nutrient concentration system. This proven technology will reduce phosphorous from cow manure by 100%.
“We look forward to a fresh start for the Waunakee digester,” said County Executive Parisi. “Clean Fuel will be a great addition to our partnership with Dane County family farms to clean up our lakes and reduce greenhouse gases.”
About the Dane County Biodigester Facility
The site consists of digesters and generators to create energy. At the facility, cow manure is processed in three airtight digester tanks. The tanks are heated to about 100 degrees – just like a cow’s stomach. Bacteria in manure thrive in these conditions, and they consume solids in the manure while releasing methane gas. Instead of being released into the atmosphere, the methane is captured at the top of the digester and burned in a generator to create electricity. Because of the methane released by untreated manure, the digester also reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the CO2 emissions for over 4,000 cars every year.
About Clean Fuel Partners
Clean Fuel Partners exists to make a difference by improving the environment in tangible and measurable ways. They do this by partnering with farmers and communities to transform agricultural waste into renewable energy and other products that support sustainable agricultural practices. Clean Fuel Partners and its partners build and manage proven, advanced biodigester systems that put waste to work for our customers and the stakeholders they serve. www.cleanfuelpartners.com