NYSERDA contracts fund methane
gas generation and regional natural gas exploration;
Clymer Farm and SUNY Buffalo Research Program awarded $300,000
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, July 25, 2001
CONTACT: Tom Collins, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext.3250.
Albany, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) recently funded two contracts that should benefit
Western New York's economy. The Matlink Dairy Farm, Inc. of Clymer
(Chautauqua County) was awarded $200,000 to demonstrate an anaerobic
digester that produces methane gas and reduces nutrient contamination
from manure. If successful, Matlink Farms intends to generate electricity
with the digester gas and market excess power to the local utility.
Also, the project will help manage nutrient runoff and control odors
– two prominent livestock issues that are costly and time-consuming
for farmers.
Under a second contract, NYSERDA awarded SUNY Buffalo $99,999 to
explore for natural gas in the Finger Lakes region. The Trenton/Black
River geologic formation, running beneath the central and southwestern
counties, shows great promise for new natural gas wells. New exploration
and research may pave the way to well development.
"Helping New York's farmers address environmental concerns
with advanced technology will improve their competitive standing
while preserving our environment," said NYSERDA President William
M. Flynn. "At the same time, identifying new sources of natural
gas in Western New York will help us to reduce our dependence on
imported energy and create economic development opportunities in
the Finger Lakes region."
NYSERDA is a public benefit authority that seeks to improve the
State's energy efficiency, while safeguarding the environment. It
is also the administrator of the New York Energy $martSM
programs, which are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging
energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition.
The programs are available to all electric distribution customers
(residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) of Central
Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and
Rochester Gas and Electric.
All New York Energy $martSM
programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by
electric distribution customers of participating utilities. NYSERDA,
a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers
SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service
Commission.
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