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Radical new energy to make Leicestershire greener
Posted on 22/08/2008
A pioneering technology could soon be helping to generate renewable energy and make Leicestershire greener.
Money is available from the County Council to develop projects which produce green energy from agricultural waste using a process called anaerobic digestion.
Anaerobic digestion is a process which converts animal manure and food waste into renewable electricty and heat. This could be used to power houses and business and also significantly reduces methane levels and the amount of waste sent to landfill.
There are only a handful of anaerobic digestion plants across the country.
Farmers and other partners who have a site in mind are being encouraged to get in touch with the County Council by the end of October.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available and can be used to develop a feasibility study and help prepare an environmental impact assessment.
Ernie White, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "Anaerobic digestion potentially provides a sustainable solution to some of the most daunting climate change issues that we are facing today and could play a vital role in making Leicestershire greener."
Background Information
1.Projects would use only non-domestic waste and are not linked to the County Councils plans to develop long-term waste treatment facilities.
2.The agriculture industry is responsible for highest emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).
3. The UK has a binding target to produce 20% of its electricity from renewable sources.
4. Food production companies are experiencing increasing costs of landfill tax and this is expected to rise in the future.
It is anticipated that projects would be a partnership of farmers, food production companies and local businesses to offer sustainable solutions to their problems as well as producing renewable energy and create local employment.
More information is available on the County Councils website at: www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/enable/ad