New Options for Energy Independence in California

Every day we read and hear in the various media the hue and cry for Americans to become energy independent. Though our nation has vast resources available of coal and oil, our leaders seem determined to pursue alternative sources of fuel. With all the hot air that comes from Washington and state capitals, I cannot understand why wind energy hasn't overtaken oil as the most accessible resource. However, as the owner of a farm windmill, I deeply dislike the toll the turbines take on our flying friends.

Now, though, I read from my friends in California that one of their most forward-thinking city councils has contracted with a local company to produce enough gas energy to bring this town to the brink of energy independence. Yes, Gentle Readers, the city of San Jose, California is putting their S**t to work for them. In a Reuters article posted on June 17, reporter Ruedigar Matthes explains that Zanker Road Biogas Corporation will build and manage a bio-energy plant near the San Jose Water Treatment facility. The new bio-energy facility will harvest the "organic" food waste as well as the solid human waste from the city's water and transform this waste into energy. According to Matthes' report:

The Zanker Road Biogas facility would be the first facility in the U.S. with the technology to turn organic waste into bio-gas, keeping San Jose at the forefront of clean technology innovations. The technology that would find its home at the San Jose facility would use a process known as dry anaerobic fermentation to generate renewable bio-gas and high-quality compost.

I suppose this technology is perfect for our most populous state, which generates loads of manure. Now, if only San Jose can just make sure that all its inhabitants flush their contributions into the sewers. Perhaps that cause will generate a new facet to the environmentally friendly classes taught at its schools: Recycling, Global Warming, Flushing.

Only in California.