CVPS Cow Power(TM) Named DOE 2009 Utility Green Power Program of the Year
September 16 2009 - 10:34AM
Marketwired
CVPS Cow Power(TM) (NYSE: CV), the first manure-to-energy program
in the country, was recognized earlier this week as the Department
of Energy's (DOE's) 2009 Utility Green Power Program of the Year
for advancing the development and use of green energy.
CVPS Cow Power(TM) was presented with DOE's Green Power
Leadership Award for a supplier during the "Renewable Energy
Markets 2009" Conference in Atlanta on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy
(DOE) and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) sponsored the
ninth annual Green Power Leadership Awards, which recognize the
actions of individuals, companies and organizations that
significantly advance the development of renewable electricity
sources through green power markets. For the 2009 Green Power
Leadership Awards, three separate panels of judges reviewed over
100 nominations. DOE honored five Green Power Partners from across
the United States for their commitment and contribution to helping
advance the nation's voluntary green power market.
"The Department of Energy applauds CVPS Cow Power(TM) for taking
a leading role in advancing markets for renewable energy," said
Secretary Steven Chu. "Green power is an effective way for
businesses and households to reduce their carbon footprint, while
creating jobs and cutting pollution. Through this innovative
program, CVPS is responding to growing demand for clean, reliable
electricity from our nation's abundant renewable energy
sources."
CVPS won the Utility Green Power Program of the Year award for
designing and implementing the voluntary renewable energy program,
which competed against municipal, electric cooperatives and
investor-owned utilities that offer voluntary renewable energy
programs to their customers.
"CVPS Cow Power(TM) promotes a manure management system that
provides clean, renewable energy and strives to help solve numerous
environmental problems," the DOE said. "Since the program's
inception in 2004, a total of over 42 million kWh have been sold
through customers' enrollment. In 2008, sales increased by over 1.3
million kWh, over 10 percent."
"We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which honors all
of our Cow Power farm owners, the thousands of customers who have
enrolled in the program, and all those who have supported it,
including our regulators and several state and federal agencies,"
CVPS President Bob Young said. "Cow Power is successful only
through the collaboration of many partners."
Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who was an early supporter of CVPS Cow
Power(TM) and nominated CVPS for the award, said it was a model for
others to emulate. "The thinking that created Cow Power, turning a
waste stream into an asset, is just the kind of thinking we need as
we face growing energy and environmental challenges," Dubie said.
"We hope to inspire other states and regions to follow our success
with the Cow Power program."
Dave Dunn, who manages CVPS Cow Power(TM), and Steve Costello,
who until recently managed enrollment and customer outreach for the
program, accepted the award on CVPS's behalf. "When we started Cow
Power, we simply wanted to offer customers a fully renewable choice
and help Vermont dairy farmers improve manure management and their
finances," Dunn said. "Thanks to their courage, we've been able to
go far beyond that and help educate hundreds of thousands of people
across Vermont and around the world about the possibilities."
"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Cow Power customers, who
have made significant and sustained commitments to the program,"
Costello said. "Green Mountain College, Long Trail Brewing Company,
Handy Toyota, JC Image and others make enormous financial
contributions to Cow Power, and help market it. Every customer
enrolled shares in this award."
The Cow Power process is simple: manure and other agricultural
waste are held in a sealed concrete tank at the same temperature as
a cow's stomach, 101 degrees. Bacteria digest the volatile
components, creating methane and killing pathogens and weed seeds.
The methane, which is roughly 20 times more harmful than carbon
dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, fuels an
engine/generator. The process kills most manure odors, and provides
a peat-moss-like material for bedding animals.
CVPS customers can choose to receive all, half or a quarter of
their electrical energy through Cow Power, 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, which
provides grants to develop on-farm generation.
CVPS Cow Power(TM) has been repeatedly honored since its
creation in 2004. The program won the Vermont Governor's Award for
Environmental Excellence in 2005-2006 and the Finalist's
Commendation in the 2007 Edison Electric Institute's annual Edison
Award competition, named for Thomas Edison. In 2008, "Power
Magazine" named CVPS Cow Power(TM) one of five "Top Plants"
worldwide. For more information, visit www.cvps.com/cowpower.
Contact: Steve Costello (802) 747-5427 Pager (802) 742-3062
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