Growing opportunities for methane production exist in Iowa
New opportunities in the bio-gas industry were explored in a day – long seminar hosted by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation on February 28, 2007.  Interest in methane production, the most common form of biogas, is high primarily because of Iowa’s prominent livestock industry and because of the public’s interest in the environmental benefits derived from producing energy from renewable resources.The seminar examined bio-gas industry trends, economics as well as keys to developing a successful project.  Speakers covered specific markets for the co-products of bio-gas production, including, electricity, pipeline quality gas, livestock bedding and fertilizer.  The marketing of carbon credits and renewable energy production tax credits was also discussed at the seminar. The bio-gas industry offers the opportunity to create another source of income that is compatible with agriculture and Iowa rural communities.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Agenda:

Welcome
David Lyons, Chief Business Development Officer, IFBF

Biogas Overview and Industry Potential
Norm Olson, BECON Facility Director, Iowa Energy Center
Presentation: Anaerobic Digestion

Biogas Economics
Dave Miller, Director of Research & Commodity Services, IFBF
Presentation: Economics of Biogas

Keys to a Successful Project
Bob Peplin, Project Manager, Sebesta Blomberg
Presentation: Keys to a Successful Project

Asset Mapping for Project Development
Jim Bodensteiner, Program Planner, IDNR Energy & Waste Management Bureau
Tommi Makila, Program Manager, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Presentation: Iowa interactive Map

Biogas Markets Electricity
John McWilliams, Resource Planner, Dairyland Power Cooperative
Presentation: Biogas Markets Electricity

Gas
Brian Allen, Project Management Director, Bison Renewable Energy
Dr. Robert Paterek, Technology Director, Bison Renewable Energy
Presentation: Bioenergy and Biochemicals from Agricultural Wastes and Biosolids

Methane Credits
Dave Miller, Director of Research & Commodity Services, IFBF
Presentation: Carbon Credit Biogas
Handout: Carbon Credit - Methane Brochure

Opportunities for Agriculture and Rural Communities
Melissa Dvorak, Marketing Manager, GHD, Inc.
Presentation: Two-Staged Mixed Plug Flow Anaerobic Digesters

Ricardo Palomo, President, Renewable Energy Resources
Presentation: Renewable Energy Resources

Infrastructure Needs Human
Steve Jones, Extension Specialist, Civil & Construction Engineering, ISU
Presentation: Biogas Infrastructure - Design & Operations

Government
Allan Goldberg, Energy Section Supervisor, IDNR
Presentation: Guidance on permitting Anaerobic Digesters & MMP Requirements

Financial Assistance
Bill Haman, AERLP Manager, Iowa Energy Center
Presentation: Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program

Teresa Bomhoff, Rural Energy Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
Presentation: Section 9006 USDA Energy Program
Handouts: USDA Energy Efficiency Brochure Energy and Efficiency Fact Sheet
                                               
Next Steps
Denny Harding, Business Services Administrator, IFBF