Lake weeds will burn to make electricity

Information from: The Burlington Free Press http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com

July 20, 2008

BRIDPORT, Vt. --A group working to protect Lake Champlain is testing whether nuisance weeds and algae take from the lake can be used to help make electricity.

The Lake Champlain Restoration Association is planning to haul tons of the unwanted lake vegetation inland to a farm that uses methane from manure to make electricity.

The group uses a harvester to clear the weeds and give boaters access to deeper water.

Last week the Central Vermont Public Service Corp. awarded $10,000 to the association to haul greens generator at the Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport and monitor its viability as a power source.

Experts will study if the costs of transportation and other factors are met by the amount of power generated by burning the vegetation.

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