![](media/image1.png)1315 K STREET

MODESTO, CALIFORNIA 95354-0917

TELEPHONE (209) 527-6453

FAX (209) 527-0630

www.westernuniteddairymen.com

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Western United Dairymen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Marsh, CEO

\(209\) 527-6453

**Gas Derived from Cow Manure Offers Renewable Energy, New Study Shows**

Modesto, Calif., Sept. 19, 2005 -- Methane gas derived from dairy manure
offers a substitute for natural gas that can power motor vehicles and
generate electricity, according to a study released today by a
collaboration of energy, dairy and environmental groups. Known as
biomethane, the gas is entirely renewable and environmentally friendly
and can be produced locally.

*Biomethane from Dairy Waste: A Sourcebook for the Production and Use of
Renewable Natural Gas in California* represents a collaboration among
experts from a wide range of specialties, including advanced
transportation technologies, alternative fuels, dairy operations and
environmental impacts. The study was funded by a grant from U.S.
Department of Agriculture - Rural Development. Project partners include
Sustainable Conservation, Institute for Environmental Management, Great
Valley Center, Western United Dairymen, CalStart and RCM Digesters.

"There are 8.5 million cows in the United States, each producing enough
manure to potentially generate about 30 cubic feet of biomethane per
day, which could replace significant amounts of natural gas at today's
prices," said Allen Dusault, Biofuels Project Manager for Sustainable
Conservation. The report offers the most effective and economical
technologies for producing biomethane, as well as specific applications
and markets for the gas.

"This is no 'cow-pie in the sky' solution," said Dusault. "The
technologies for converting dairy manure to biomethane are already used
at several landfills around the United States. Sweden has 20 plants
producing biomethane and runs 2,300 buses on it. As natural gas prices
continue to rise, biomethane fuel is becoming cost-competitive with
natural gas and diesel, and is much cheaper than hydrogen. Switching to
biomethane improves air quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions,
improves water quality and strengthens rural economies."

"It is not actually the manure we'll put in the tank," said Paul Martin,
Environmental Services Director of Western United Dairymen. "We'll use
the gas that forms when manure is processed in a methane digester and
then upgraded to vehicle fuel quality. More than a dozen methane
digesters are operating or under construction on dairy farms in
California. Dairy farmers in New York, Wisconsin and other states are
also discovering the economic, environmental and community benefits of
locally produced energy."

Currently, some of the methane produced on dairy farms is used to
generate electricity. However, the methane digesters can be upgraded to
make biomethane for vehicle fuel. As technology advances, market forces
evolve and infrastructure is created, biomethane may become a viable
vehicle fuel on the farm and/or for local sale and distribution.

California has particularly good reasons for using biomethane. The state
is home to more than 1.7 million dairy cows, with a technically feasible
potential for producing about 140 billion cubic feet of methane a year,
equivalent to over 100 million gallons of gasoline. The San Joaquin
Valley, where most of the cows reside, has some of the nation's most
polluted air. A dairy biomethane industry along Highway 99 could serve
as the start for a renewable fuel highway, possibly evolving in the
future into a 'renewable hydrogen highway,' should it prove advantageous
to convert biomethane to hydrogen.

"Unlike ethanol and biodiesel, biomethane receives no direct government
funding or incentives. To quickly achieve the full potential of
biomethane, the federal and state governments must support development
of the technology, market development, programmatic infrastructure and
regulatory environment that will allow rapid development of this
practical, domestic energy resource," said Michael Marsh, CEO, Western
United Dairymen.

*Biomethane from Dairy Waste: A Sourcebook for the Production and Use of
Renewable Natural Gas in California is available*
http://www.westernuniteddairymen.com/USDA%20Grant/USDAgrantfinalreport.htm

ABOUT WESTERN UNITED DAIRYMEN

Western United Dairymen is a voluntary membership organization
representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California. The
organization provides resources in labor law, environmental regulations,
pricing and public policy issues. For more information, visit
www.westernuniteddairymen.com.

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