Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) applauded the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Farm Power Lynden will receive nearly $3 million - $500,000 in grants and $2.4 million in loans -  to construct an anaerobic digester in Whatcom County.  The federal funds will help Farm Power Lynden create an estimated 60 jobs in the region.

“This USDA award is going to create jobs in Whatcom County, reduce pollution, and support our community’s family farms,” said Larsen. “It is a small but important investment towards achieving energy independence and creating green jobs in our region.”

The anaerobic digester will use manure from over 2,000 Whatcom County dairy cows to create methane gas, which will be burned to create enough electricity to power 500 homes.  Additionally, the excess heat created by the digester’s operation will be used for a nearby greenhouse grower, Van Wingerdern Inc.

This is Farm Power’s 2nd anaerobic digester project in Northwest Washington.  Their first facility, which also received assistance from the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), opened in Skagit County earlier this month.

“Consistent federal support like that available from the USDA REAP program is absolutely invaluable when planning large renewable energy projects,” said Kevin Maas. “We've been working to develop Farm Power Lynden for over a year with the knowledge that we could apply for REAP funding as the project matured.”

“Anaerobic digesters provide local renewable electricity while saving dairy farmers money,” said Daryl Maas. “Farm Power Lynden can add yet another benefit by providing low-cost, zero-emission heat to one of Whatcom County's largest greenhouse growers, Van Wingerden Inc.”

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