Economic Feasibility Study of Colorado Anaerobic Digester Projects ...

and energy generation present the most direct impact on net income. Improved
technology that can handle dry digestion provides potential to reduce AD operating
costs.
• Policy and infrastructure investment is needed to accommodate alternative
energy. Specific examples, such as a streamlined permitting process and expanded
gas pipelines, are discussed in the report.
• More information specific to Colorado AD and alternative energy projects is
desired. Many of those interviewed for this project stated that, while they found
national EPA AgStar tools to be helpful, they would like to see the Colorado
Governor’s Energy Office expand upon its web-site content to include more reports,
information, and decision tools specific to Colorado.
In summary, while there have been national efforts to compile information about AD and codigestion,
Colorado and the Intermountain West possess unique environmental
characteristics that affect the economic feasibility of these systems. Low humidity, scarce
water resources, western farm management practices, and regional policies are examples
of such unique issues. This report provides a detailed look at ways to make AD practices in
Colorado more economically feasible. However, additional study would provide more
specificity on the economic feasibility of these projects.
Although the state should not necessarily consider policies with the sole purpose of
increasing the number of AD projects, infrastructure improvements that support alternative
energy projects will likely serve to improve the economic feasibility and success of AD
technology.
Economic Feasibility Study of Colorado Anaerobic Digester Projects
Prepared by Dr. Catherine Keske, Colorado State University
August 2009
Page 6 of 79