Central Vermont Public Service, which recently brought its 10th CVPS Cow Powerâ ¢ project online, today announced an energy production surplus from its award-winning farm-generation program and put out a call for new customers large and small.
‘With the completion of several new CVPS Cow Powerâ ¢ projects, energy production has surpassed the level of customer demand for the first time,’ said Renewable Energy Program Manager Dave Dunn. ‘With several more projects in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond, we are looking for new supporters to help ensure that farm-based renewable energy development can continue cost-effectively for dairy farm owners in Vermont.’
CVPS is working to support four new cow power projects across the state, both inside and outside its service territory. Several existing CVPS Cow Powerâ ¢ farms are also in the midst of expanding their generation capacity.
New construction projects include: A 150-kW generator at the Maplehurst Farm in Greensboro; a 475-kW generator at the Four Hills Farm in Bristol; a 200-kW generator at the Riverview Farm in Franklin; a 300-kW generator at Vermont Technical College in Randolph.
‘We need new customers to enroll in Cow Power to give these farms the same opportunity as their predecessors to create energy, improve their bottom lines, and deliver the environmental benefits to Vermont that Cow Power can bring,’ CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. ‘We continue to be successful in helping Vermont farm owners develop clean, renewable energy that adds to their bottom lines.’
The program has also stimulated net-metered, small-scale generators at the Neighborly Farms in Randolph, Keewaydin Dairy Farm in Stowe and Joneslan Farm in Hyde Park.
CVPS customers can choose to register all, half or a quarter of their electrical energy through the program, and pay a premium of 4 cents per kilowatt hour. It goes to participating farm-producers, to purchase renewable energy credits when enough farm energy isn’t available, or to the CVPS Renewable Development Fund. The fund provides grants and project support to farm owners to develop on-farm generation.
‘Our customers have put over $3 million in the program so far through their enrollment in CVPS Cow Powerâ ¢,’ Dunn said. ‘The 4-cent contribution makes a difference for all of these projects and helps provide positive cash flow. With three new projects on line last year, and several in the works, we need new Cow Power supporters to provide that premium for these new farm projects.’
The program currently has 3,300 voluntary customers, 205 of them commercial customers. The 4-cent premium pays farmers for the renewable and environmental value created by their projects.
Long Trail Brewing Company partners with CVPS and Cow Power because it matches up well with its own sustainability program, Eco Brewing by Long Trail.
‘This program includes water conservation, a heat recovery system and a direct tie in to Cow Power whereby Long Trail provides eight tons of spent mash every day to local dairy farms in Vermont,’ President Brian Walsh said. ‘Long Trail is committed to supporting local dairy farmers and working with our local utility, CVPS, in providing long-term sustainable power.’
Since 2005, CVPS Cow Powerâ ¢ farms have delivered over 47 million kilowatt-hours of locally produced renewable energy to CVPS customers.
When supply outstrips customer demand, CVPS sells the renewable value of the farm generation into the New England market and provides the proceeds to the farm-producers. Those market prices are somewhat unpredictable and somewhat lower, generally, than the customer incentive payments.
To enroll in Cow Power, call 800-649-2877.
CVPS 1.30.2012