If you think sources of alternative and renewable energy are BS, well, you may be right — just not in the way you've been thinking. Central Vermont Public Service (of course it's Vermont) is now offering Cow Power: energy generated from methane emitted from cow manure. By signing up to get 25%, 50%, or even 100% of their energy from this method, green-mountain-staters can not only support the environment, but support local dairy farms as well. The cost compared to traditional energy sources is a bit more, but even if you get all of your energy from manure you'll only end up paying about an extra $20 per month, which seems like a small price to pay to do your part to help the environment and local farmers. As the website says, "for every kilowatt-hour requested by customers and provided by a Vermont farm, CVPS will pay the farmer the market price for energy plus the CVPS Cow Power charge of 4 cents for the environmental benefits of the energy." The whole thing is a great, creative way to be environmentally friendly while supporting local agriculture, and it fits perfectly with everything Vermont stands for. Only one farm is currently set up to power homes with poop, but many more are expected to start up at the end of this year and the beginning of 2007. However, just that one farm with only 1,500 cattle will be able to produce 1.75 million kWh this year. That's some powerful BS.
— Adam Frucci