Schumer Tours Boxler Dairy Farm's Biodigester in Wyoming County to Discuss with Local Farmers and Officials Ways Federal Government Can be Helpful
Technology Has Potential to Save Hundreds or Thousands of Dollars Each Year Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, toured Boxler Farm's biodigester in Wyoming County and met with local officials, scientists and farmers. Biodigesters are an innovative product with the capability to produce massive savings for families, farmers and businesses. Schumer discussed ideas for expanding the technology and making it more affordable so more farmers can take advantage of it around the country. Currently biodigesters are very expensive, costing up to $1 million dollars apiece. Today, Schumer discussed ways to make the technology more widely available. "Clean Energy development represents one of Upstate New York's best opportunities to create jobs, grow local economies and protect our environment," Schumer said. "Boxler
Biodigesters convert organic wastes into a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer and biogas, a renewable source of electrical and heat energy. Biodigesters help families and farmers by providing a cheap source of fuel, preventing environmental pollution from runoff from animal pens, and reducing diseases caused by the use of untreated manure as fertilizer. Families living in rural communities throughout New York could convert animal and vegetable waste into energy thereby reducing their cost of living and helping them to balance their budget. In addition to lowering costs, families or organizations that own biodigesters can often times use them to produce revenue by selling excesses electricity generated back to the grid.
Boxler's Farm rests on 63 acres of land in Wyoming County and is a perfect example of the benefits that a biodigester can have for farming families. Every day the farm's biodigester helps Boxler's reduce its energy costs while still providing high quality services to its countless customers. Yearly, countless children and families come to the farm to see the over 400 animals who represent 30 different species that are mostly of African descent. The farm is a growing business that attracts visitors from across the region.
Today at Boxler's, Schumer discussed the technology, its potential and how it can work to save money for families and businesses living in rural communities throughout Upstate New York and across the country. Schumer pledged to work with local famers to make biodigesters less expensive and more widely available. Schumer added, "Particularly in times like these every dime that families can save on their bottom line is a huge help, and in this situation we're talking about thousands- that's a massive game changer for people in Upstate, especially for our rural communities. We've got to explore this technology."