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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2009
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Vance Program Highlights Dairy Farm Converting Manure to Electricity

HARRISBURG – Mains Dairy Farm in Newville, which uses an anaerobic digester to turn manure into electric energy, is spotlighted in the June edition of the Vance Report, said host Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York).

The farm, which has 900 Jersey and Holstein cows, has been in the family for almost 100 years and teamed with EMG International to build what is believed to be the first fluid bed digester at a farm in Pennsylvania. After the manure is separated, it goes through a biochemical process that changes the methane gas to biogas and then electricity. Finally, the electricity is sold to the power grid.

"Not only does the anaerobic digester process produce energy, it also greatly reduces the odor emitted from the farm," Vance said. "Another important component of the process is that all parts of the manure are recycled as the solids are composted and used as bedding. While the initial capital investment runs between $1,200 and $1,500 per cow, the savings through the sale of the electricity, carbon credits and reduction in manure handling and hauling are significant. The Mains and EMG should be commended for their forward thinking."

Vance's show airs on Blue Ridge Communications at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays on Channel 8. Comcast Cable that serves the Shippensburg area will air the program at 4 p.m. on Thursdays on Channel 21. Comcast Cable that serves the Carlisle area will air the show at the same time but on Channel 11. York Community Access shows the program at 9 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month on Channel 16. Finally, Comcast Cable in the Greater Harrisburg area will air the program on Channel 20 with no set time schedule.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.