Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 1/8/14


The Missouri division of Smithfield Foods’ livestock growing subsidiary announced today a joint division with Roeslein Alternative Energy to develop a $100 million renewable biogas project in northern Missouri.

Murphy-Brown of Missouri LLC says the project will demonstrate how underutilized agricultural resources can produce renewable fuel, benefit the ecosystem and genearate economic opportunity. The joint venture envisions combining technology and animal waste to optimize alternative energy production for regional distribution.

Biogas, created when organic matter decomposes without oxygen present, will be harvested from Murphy finishing farms in northern Missouri using state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion technology developed and installed by Roeslein.

Investment banking firm Stern Borthers & Co. will underwrite the entire financing for this project, and The Missouri Clean Energy District’s PACE program is being reviewed as financing option.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2014.

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