As a dairy farmer in Maine, I am deeply committed to the principle of taking charge and leading the nation. That’s why recent attempts to limit energy choice in our state are so concerning.
One proposal this past session called for banning the expansion of gas distribution systems in Maine, even though natural gas is lower in emissions and cost than other fuel sources. While I’m relieved that reason prevailed in the Legislature and the proposal was rejected, its very consideration remains troubling.
Many may wonder why a family dairy farmer cares so passionately about energy choice. As a farmer, I feed my family, friends, and neighbors through our family dairy farm. We produce fresh, quality, local Maine milk that finds its way onto your tables.
Thanks to a partnership with Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit’s affiliate Peak’s Renewables, and Flood Brothers Farm, we’re feeding Maine in a new way with homegrown energy. In 2019, Summit and Peaks approached us to create one of the nation’s first community dairy digesters at our farm.
The project involved constructing a manure processing facility that helps family farmers operate more sustainably. It manages manure and reduces emissions by creating renewable, pipeline-quality gas to warm homes, fuel businesses, and power the industry.
Today, that digester is operating and providing numerous economic, energy, and environmental benefits to rural Maine and the rest of the state. It captures methane from manure and uses it to create a carbon-negative gas that removes more emissions from the air than are released when burned.
Renewable gas isn’t limited to agriculture; it can also come from food waste and landfills. The facility at our farm alone avoids emissions equivalent to 28,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year—the same as taking 6,500 cars off the road annually.
The gas from this facility is directly injected into Summit Natural Gas of Maine’s pipes and delivered to homes, businesses, and industries throughout the state. The renewable attributes (like carbon credits) of the gas are sold to third parties, similar to what happens with solar and wind projects.
This initiative showcases Maine’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. It boosts rural investment, cuts emissions, and underscores the importance of sustainable energy solutions. Maine’s dairy community and industry are critical to the strength of the state’s economy and environment.
We constantly seek innovative ways to enhance the sustainability and circularity of our operations. Just as we explore new methods to reduce the environmental impact of growing and producing nutritious food, it’s crucial that the state also looks for innovative ways to reduce emissions from our energy system while maximizing resources.
This means that, while vitally important, we must look beyond wind and solar to achieve our climate goals. The state’s gas pipeline system is a vital piece of that puzzle, and the renewable natural gas facility at our farm is a prime example of why.
Now that the state has rejected language that would prohibit the expansion of gas distribution systems, I hope we can once again lead in Maine’s way by preserving energy choice and ensuring that the RNG facility at our farm is not Maine’s last.
