Iowa digester boom fuels methane gains and water worries
Digesters fund irrigation of methane projects across Iowa amid Biden push and $200 million in 2021. Critics warn added dairy cattle and manure raise water quality risks in karst regions while spills and permits show ongoing compliance challenges. Iowa approved 15 new digester facilities since 2021, boosting animal units by about 23 percent and expanding dairy operations with environmental tradeoffs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marshall Ridge Center
Biden
California
Chris Jones
Driftless Water Defenders
Driftless Group
Winneshiek County
Iowa
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Bohr Farms
DNR
Maassen & Sons
Roorda Dairy
O’brien
Roorda
Sioux County
Deep Creek
Marshall Ridge
State Center
Kevin and
Holly Blood
Iowa approves 15 dairy digester sites expanding operations
DNA data shows 15 Iowa digester permits since 2021 allow larger herds. Animal units rose from 84,861 to 104,424 across these farms, a 23 percent increase. Seven of the 15 dairy farms expanded herds after obtaining permits as lawmakers eased limits on animal units.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Hoagland Dairy
Sioux County
Winding Meadows
Lyon County
Lizard Creek
Big Sioux
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Terry van Maanen
Brightmark Sioux
Bohr
Novilla Winneshiek
Benton
Hoagland Novilla Sioux
Kirkman Farms
Brightmark Shelby
Legacy
Brightmark Osceola
Marshall Ridge Dynamic Renewables
Marshall
Maasen and Sons
Nevilla Sioux
Meadowvale
Gevo Sioux
Rock River
Gevo Lyon
Roorda O’brien
Brightmark
Salix
Woodbury
Sioux
van Ess O’brien
Gevo
What is an animal unit in Iowa dairy digesters debate
The article outlines how Iowa dairy digesters update practices after spills and permits. It covers DNR actions at Winding Meadows and other dairies, the role of Gevo, and state incentives for on farm digesters. It also notes methane emissions, credits, and varying economic views on digester viability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DNR
Gevo
Winding Meadows
Iowa
Heather Manuel
van Maanen
Joel Bleeker
Maassen & Sons Dairy
Sioux County
Europe
U.S
Rural Energy For America
Missouri
USDA
Will Higgins
Roestein Alternative Energy
Texas
Mike Helbing
Penn State University
Center For Energy Law and Policy
California
Also Mentioned on This Page
Blake Iske
Michael Raymer
Black Hills Energy
Stockton
Sievers
Iowa State University
Helbing
Northwest
Aaron Smith
University of California, Berkeley
Smith
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Energy Administration
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