The state plans to spend more than $20
million in federal stimulus money on two projects to promote
biomass energy.
Gov. Sam Brownback announced Tuesday that $15.6 million will be
spent on a project near Oakley to use methane from cattle manure,
rather than natural gas.
Another $4.9 million will go to a project to buy equipment that
will deliver biomass feedstock to a Wichita plant more efficiently.
The Oakley plant’s onsite power generator will be converted to
use methane from manure instead of natural gas. Western Plains
Energy, which operates the plant, will partner with Pioneer Feeders
for the manure.
The Kansas Alliance for Biorefining and Bioenergy, based in
Wichita, will use advanced harvesting and transportation equipment
to process biomass feedstock mainly in northeast and southwest
Kansas.