Committee hears testimony on bills to clarify rules for commercial and community anaerobic digesters

The Michigan House Agriculture Committee heard testimony on House Bills 4257 and 4265 aimed at clarifying regulatory standards for commercial and multi-owner anaerobic digesters and for the management and land application of digestate.

Representative Nyer, the bills’ sponsor, told the committee the package "lays out the inconsistent or consistent guidelines for both departments and operators" and is intended to make multi-owner digesters viable for investors and smaller farmers. Rob Anderson, government relations manager for Michigan Farm Bureau, told the panel, "Anaerobic digesters are a good thing," saying digesters can divert food and farm waste from landfills, make soil amendments and produce renewable natural gas. Anderson said the bills would establish standards for construction, acceptable feedstocks, traceability, training, contingency plans, recordkeeping and notification requirements.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) said it supports digesters in principle but cannot support the bills in…