U.S. Dairy Industry Plans 25% GHG Emissions Cut by 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy are working together to help the U.S. dairy industry reach its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25 percent over the next decade. One part of the strategy is to turn methane gas from livestock manure into electricity.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the USDA and the dairy group identified a variety of projects that can help the dairy industry meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, while increasing its financial and environmental sustainability. Some initiatives will help the industry develop future technologies, support renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.

The agreement could help accelerate opportunities to capture methane gas from livestock manure and convert it into electricity, coordinate research information on life-cycle assessments and support the industry