East Michigan News

State Representatives Jerry Neyer and Joey Andrews have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting the operation of methane digesters in Michigan. The proposed bills, House Bills 4257 and 4265, seek to address recent regulatory changes by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) that have affected the viability of these renewable energy facilities.

Methane digesters convert organic waste into biogas used for heat, electricity, and natural gas. They also provide a sustainable source of fertilizer for farmers. However, state regulators have classified the byproduct from these digesters as toxic waste for co-owned and commercial operations, while single-farm digesters continue under existing manure classification guidelines.

Representative Neyer emphasized the importance of methane digesters in bridging the gap between demand and supply for green energy products. He stated: “In today’s day and age, there is an increased demand for green energy products but a vastly limited supply, creating a problematic gap in green energy production – methane digesters can be part of the solution.”

The proposed legislation aims to provide clear timelines for approval processes. Representative Andrews highlighted this need by stating: “For methane digesters to succeed in Michigan, they need clear, predictable timelines for approval.” The bills propose requiring permitting decisions within 180 days to avoid operational delays.

The legislation would define methane digesters in state law to ensure access for both co-owned and commercial farms while setting procedures for their registration and operation. Representative Neyer criticized recent restrictive rules from EGLE as limiting renewable energy output potential: “If our government ever wants to meet its self-imposed green energy mandates, it needs to foster collaborative solutions.”

The bills are currently referred to the House Agriculture Committee for further evaluation.