BioEnergy Solutions, a Californian waste-to-energy company, has announced (13th February) an agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to provide natural gas created from animal waste and other renewable sources. Under the agreement, the company will deliver up to three billion cubic feet of renewable natural gas a year to PG&E, enough to meet the electricity needs of approximately 50,000 California homes. It is expected to break ground on the project in the spring and begin delivering natural gas to PG&E in the summer.

BioEnergy Solutions is offering a cost-free alternative to the capital costs farmers and other food processors face in coming years to meet new state air quality and greenhouse gas standards. The company designs, builds and maintains the waste-to-gas system on the farm or at the processing facility, then sells the natural gas to power generators. The property owners also enjoy a new source of revenue, sharing in the sales of biogas and carbon credits.

"BioEnergy Solutions was founded by dairymen, and we understand the challenges agriculture faces in the coming years to reduce emissions," said company President DavidAlbers, a third-generation dairyman. "PG&E has a similar challenge, which is to increase its production of renewable energy. This agreement turns what would otherwise be a growing problem for farmers into a new revenue source and helps PG&E reach the environmental goals set by the company and the state."

"Developing new sources of renewable energy is a priority for PG&E," said Fong Wan, PG&E's vice president of energy procurement. "This project is yet another example of our company's commitment to the environment by delivering clean, climate-friendly energy to our customers."