02/01/10

The idea of converting animal waste into electricity is nothing new and Jerome County wants to make sure their ordinances will support the process.

Anaerobic digesters take dairy waste and reduce the amount of it, while removing methane gas that can be burned for heating purposes.

Jerome County is preparing itself for the eventual possibility of cattle waste being converted to electricity, inside the borders of a typical cattle operation.

Art Brown, Administrator of Jerome Planning and Zoning says, “P&Z felt that, they feel they would like to continue having special use permits, because they would like to look at each item as it comes through. They staff has no issue with that, and we'll go along with P&Z and the board also.”

The Jerome Planning and Zoning recommendation will be considered by the county commissioners, who will make the final decision on the matter.

If a digester is set up in Jerome County, cattle waste will still have to stay inside the pre-existing setbacks.

Jerome County Commissioner Charlie Howell says, “By expanding plant energy, producing non-conventional as a permitted use, it will end the need for additional hearings, which allows livestock waste products within the livestock confinement site.

Excess methane gas would be burned off of the digester. The electrical equipment would be housed inside a building, so there would be no external noise.

The commissioners will pick up the discussion again at 9 am next Monday, the 8th of February.