New $30M Alberta biofuel plant largest of its kind in Canada

Starting today, a company in southern Alberta is turning manure and other farm waste into money, with government help.

Lethbridge Biogas LP says its $30 million plant, which produces electricity, is the largest project of its type in Canada.

Stefan Michalski, a company spokesman, says it can make enough electricity to power 2,800 homes, and has the capacity to expand.

He says the anaerobic digester plant is already selling the power it generates into Alberta's electricity grid.

Michalski says the private company is being financially supported by a $6.4-million grant from Alberta Energy and a $5-million loan from Alberta's Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.

It is also received $8.2 million from Alberta's Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation.