Methane plant under way

Construction has begun on a methane plant developers say will turn livestock waste into clean-burning fuel.

Mendota Heights, Minn.-based Bison Renewable Energy broke ground on the $12 million plant west of Hull in northwest Iowa. It is the first of at least 20 such plants Bison plans to build nationwide, said Steve Nelson, finance director.

Nelson said Sioux County was chosen because, per square mile, it is one of the top five livestock-producing counties in the country. Bison raised capital from more than 200 local investors. It plans to contract with area livestock producers for manure, which will account for about half of the raw materials . The rest will come from other waste, such as animal fat and from area industrial plants.

The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2008.

Des Moines Register