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From poop to power: Missoula's waste now becomes electricity generator

The $1.2 million biogas machine is basically an internal combustion engine that’s similar to a diesel but can burn both methane and natural gas. It’s not using natural gas just yet, but turns methane into electricity. That’s generating about $8,000 worth of electricity at the plant each month, which is about 25 percent of the plant’s monthly electric bill.“This was an idea that staff had made, and is one of the actions — if you go back to the city’s climate change and energy conservation plan — that was in the plan,” said Bryan von Lossberg, president of the Missoula City Council. “I think everyone who is familiar with NorthWestern Energy knows it’s not surprising they’re considering another rate increase. So that $8,000 per month, when electricity costs almost $100,000 a year, would be even higher.”They brought the biogas converter online in June.

 

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The Missoulian
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