Environ Inc. plans super-efficient ‘green energy’ plant in Idaho

An Idaho company is looking for sites to build a "green energy" plant that it says can produce 10 times as much energy as a typical anaerobic digester. And it’s trying to drum up some interest locally.

Anaerobic digesters convert animal waste into methane gas, which can be used for energy.

By Megan Hinds
Times-News writer

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/business/index.asp?StoryID=5039

Environ Inc., with offices in Boise and Jerome, plans to construct the green energy plant within the next few years at a site in Magic Valley not yet determined, said Brent Hessing, a partner in the company. The plant, funded by private investors, would employ up to 40 workers, Hessing said.

"Sites remaining under consideration all have access to (railways) and span the counties of Gooding, Jerome and Twin Falls," Hessing said.

The plant would use technology — patented by the company — to convert animal waste as well as municipal waste into a synthesis gas that can be used for energy, said Todd Jaynes of JMS Inc., a company affiliated with Environ.

The company’s process is more efficient than typical anaerobic digesters, which convert animal waste into methane gas, which then can be used for energy, Jaynes said.

The plant would have capability to purify about 100,000 gallons of water per day, he said, and would eliminate the odor that can accompany typical anaerobic digesters, he said.

"When converting animal waste into gas, anaerobic digesters leave a residue behind," Jaynes said. "(Environ’s process) eliminates that residue."

Neither Jaynes nor Hessing would comment on the specifics of the Environ technology.

"We’re not at liberty to give all the details right now," Hessing said.

The company is tight-lipped about how much the plant will cost to build and how soon the project will get off the ground.

The cost will depend "on the scope as determined by the level of commitment from Magic Valley dairymen and quantity of municipal solid waste and bio-solids available," Hessing said. "Planning is substantially complete. (We) have conditional commitment for permanent funding and a significant portion of the equity financing."

The company plans to hold an informational meeting on its Magic Valley development plans at 1:30 p.m. May 4 at the Jerome City Council chambers, Hessing said. The meeting is open to the public.
Environ Inc. will hold an informational meeting to discuss its plans to build a "green energy" plant in Magic Valley.

* Time: 1:30 p.m.

* Date: May 4

* Place: Jerome City Council chambers

The meeting is open to the public.