Skagit manure-to-power plant on line

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REXVILLE, Wash. (AP) - A plant in the Skagit County town of Rexville is using methane from cow manure to produce electricity.

The plant, built and run by the company Farm Power, is operating at about 80 percent capacity. At full capacity, its digester can handle 55,000 gallons of liquid manure a day, and produce enough electricity to power about 500 homes.



Three other plants in Washington also burn methane from cow manure to generate electricity, but the Rexville operation is the first to accept waste from two or more dairy farms, allowing smaller operations to participate.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is scheduled to visit the Rexville plant on Monday.