Liberty, LF Bio Energy, and Stauffer Farms are working toward a greener future for upstate New York, as well as providing a local and economic energy supply option for Liberty customers. The three have partnered to process feedstock from Stauffer Farms (cow manure) and generate renewable natural gas as part of Liberty’s gas supply.
“We are committed to building a more sustainable future and are excited to see this project get underway,” said Liberty New York Gas Vice President Mark Saltsman. “Being able to eliminate methane emissions from waste, assist in the creation of a renewable energy form, and heat our communities with renewable natural gas is a win-win-win.”
The project involved the construction of a two-mile distribution line along with a service line that supplies energy in the form of natural gas to an anaerobic digester on Stauffer Farms’ property. LF Bio Energy designed and built the anaerobic digester, which digests the feedstock, or cow manure, and creates biogas. The biogas is then processed to pipeline quality renewable natural gas. This renewable natural gas is then injected into Liberty’s distribution system and used by our customers to heat their homes and operate their businesses.
Another similar project between Liberty and Adirondack Farm is also in progress. It entails the construction of a receiving facility that can accept trucked deliveries of RNG from the farm, which is then injected into Liberty’s pipeline. This project, and the project with Stauffer Farms, are expected to satisfy approximately 3.5% of Liberty – New York Gas’s natural gas supply. That is enough to heat about 3,000 residential homes for a year.
In addition to providing energy to local homes and businesses, these projects are expected to result in savings for customers. They will also benefit our local economy by creating an additional revenue stream for farmers and the county through development fees and taxes.
“This is a big deal for our community, for our local economy, and for our future,” said Saltsman. “We have other projects in the early stages of development that are expected to further benefit our customers and help us build a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
With these projects, Liberty continues to progress towards our net-zero target by leveraging innovative technologies that reduce emissions while generating value to our key stakeholders. To learn more about Liberty’s commitment to sustainability, click here.
Click here for a PDF of the press release.