Legislation boosts prospects for poultry litter power plant

St. Paul, Minn. — A bill passed by the Minnesota State Legislature in April is boosting efforts to build a poultry litter-fired power plant in West Central Minnesota.

Minnesota expanded the definition of biomass energy to include poultry litter and plants grown specifically for fuel. A proposed poultry-litter plant would produce 50 megawatts of biomass power for Northern States Power. Under a 1994 biomass mandate, NSP must purchase a minimum of 125 megawatts of biomass energy by 2002. To date, NSP has contracted for 50 megawatts of windpower.

The bill’s signing was the first step in bringing technology from Britain to Minnesota, the second largest turkey producing state in the nation. Fibrowatt, which operates three similar plants in Great Britain, must next strike a power purchase agreement with NSP, which in turn must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission. The process also includes choosing a site in West Central Minnesota and obtaining other state regulatory approvals.

“We’re delighted with the governor’s endorsement and are looking forward to contributing to Minnesota’s renewable energy program,” says Rupert Fraser, CEO of Fibrowatt.

“I think the project has the potential to bring significant benefits to rural Minnesota,” says Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson. A 50-megawatt plant would bring an estimated 30 new jobs, 300 construction jobs and $8 to $10 million in annual spending to rural Minnesota over the next 30 years, according to regional development specialists.

Meeker County Commissioner Dave Gabrielson agrees. “We need this project out here — and fast. It’s great for our economy and it’s great for agriculture.”

College offers ag processing major

Granite Falls, Minn. — This fall Minnesota West Community and Technical College will offer a new major in value-added processing. The Agricultural Processing Plant Technology major is the first of its kind in Minnesota.

Fifteen ethanol plants and numerous other ag processing facilities are already in operation in Minnesota. These facilities involve sophisticated equipment and require qualified workers to keep plants operational.

“Employee needs are increasing dramatically and these emerging industries have difficulty attracting and retaining a quality workforce,” says Minnesota West Vice President Roger Fransen.

The associate of applied science degree involves seminars, field trips, computer simulation of real-life plant operations, and lectures from industry professionals. Students will also intern in the processing industry.

“We intend to get this program off to a fast start and begin addressing the employment needs in the area,” says Robyn Wells, program director. “The goal is to train and keep our brightest people in southwest Minnesota, benefiting the agricultural community in the process.”

The first class of qualified students will be eligible to receive tuition reductions for the full two years of study. Space is limited to the first 24 students who meet program criteria.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the Minnesota West Central Information Center at 1-800-658-2330.