Cow poo into gas to heat homes? Maine company wants to explore project

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CLINTON, Maine — A natural gas distribution company in Maine plans to get into the production side of things with a poop-to-gas renewable energy project to heat homes.

Summit Utilities is partnering with Maine’s dairy industry through the construction of an anaerobic digester in Clinton to produce natural gas. Farms will provide the manure.

According to Kurt Adams, president and chief executive officer, the company plans to spend about $20 million on the renewable natural gas project. He said it is part of Summit’s ongoing effort to invest in “innovative technologies that mitigate climate change.”

Dan Burgess, director of the governor’s energy office, said it is encouraging to see a new technology that both can reduce waste and heat homes. HM/JB

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